Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV — For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.‬‬

When I think about being the salt of the earth, I think about being God’s handiwork. This includes being His salt and light here on Earth. The best news, He has already prepped us and given us the tools we need. On this Waste Not Wednesday, let’s not waste the tools that God has given us to be salty. 

In 2019 my word of the year was influence. I desired to be a positive influence over myself, my family, my friends, our blog, and my social network. According to the Dictionary, influence is the capacity to affect the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself. I have been following Influencer Rachel Hollis and her Last 90 Days Challenge for several years. As one of her “5 to Thrive,” I started fasting in October of 2018. In that fast, I was seeking God on what He had prepared my influence to be. I would later discover that God was preparing me for the hardest season of my life. My Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. As a form of prayer and therapy, I started my running journey. I pray that God will continue to use me to influence others in a positive way.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for creating me to be Your handiwork. Thank You for the tools I need to be salty. Show me how to be a positive influence for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Jesus said in ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭49‬-‭50‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — Everyone’s going through a refining fire sooner or later, but you’ll be well-preserved, protected from the eternal flames. Be preservatives yourselves. Preserve the peace.

We already know that salt can be used as a preservative. Have you thought about where salt comes from? Take a moment to watch and learn from Scope TV, how we get salt from the ground to the table.

As you can see, transforming salt isn’t a quick or easy process. Take a moment to re-read the key verse. Mark tells us we will go through a refining fire until we are well-preserved. I believe that refining fire is daily and that we will be well-preserved when we reach our heavenly home, eternally protected from the flames. Mark also instructs us to keep the peace. In the Beatitudes, we are called to be peacemakers. I believe that is when both salt and light show the world that Jesus is true peace.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You that I can take on this Tuesday knowing that You are my true source of peace. As I am being refined in the fire, may others see You through my actions and reactions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — ‭‭Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Let’s look at the message version of what it means to be the salt of the Earth. Now think about cooking. Do you measure your ingredients using measuring cups and spoons or do you measure with your eye? Matthew tells us that it is our salt seasonings that bring out the God-flavors of this Earth. Take a moment to evaluate and measure the salt you bring to the Earth. 

Being salty could mean holding other Christians accountable. More importantly, hold ourselves accountable by staying connected to God’s Word. Also challenging the beliefs of non-believers. Not falling into the status quo and not backing down when our faith is challenged. In our actions and reactions, our saltiness can change the God-flavors of the Earth.

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me continually measure my saltiness so that I can most effectively change the God-flavors of the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.