Day 2 - Staying Salty
So many of my favourite things come with the changing of seasons into Autumn: getting wrapped up in cosy layers of knitwear, sipping hot chocolate around a crackling fire, candlelit dinners with all the best comfort food.
It’s a season when I always want to choose warmth, safety and comfort over going out into the pinching cold of the creeping, early nights.
As we hide behind chai lattes and peep out from our blanket forts, Jesus has a public service announcement for us: Don’t get comfortable.
When we slip into the habit of choosing what is comfortable, easy or convenient over what honours God, we are living by the flesh and not being led by the Spirit.
We are called to be the salt of the earth, bringing out God’s glory in the world around us.
But Jesus' warning is that when we get too comfortable, our distinctive influence can become diluted and lose the impact it is intended to have.
Staying Salty
The Dead Sea salt used in the area where Jesus was teaching sometimes contained impurities, meaning it didn't taste salty and had to be thrown out.
When we soak up worldly values, our salty flavour is compromised. If we allow our God-perspective to be diluted by the 'it's-all-about-me' attitude of the world, what sets us apart starts to become bland.
Beautiful one, you weren't made to blend in. You are called to stand out!
In a season where we are surrounded by bad news, conflicting views, division, gossip and grumbling, Paul reminds us to avoid these impurities, in order to stay salty and shine out like beacon lights to the world.
"Instead, remind each other of God’s goodness and be thankful."
We are called to an attitude of gratitude, keeping our eyes open for how God is working for our good, even in the most challenging times.
Following Jesus, living as a co-heir and child of God, is not the easy option.
To be salt means to take the difficult and costly choices that take us out of our comfort zone, away from our own agendas. It may cause us hardship or suffering. It will definitely take effort and determination.
Taking the easy, comfortable road of low-impact isn't God's story for you.
Fix your eyes on God’s glorious big picture of rescue and redemption. His glory is for every season and He's chosen you to partner with Him. What will your choice be: to stay comfy or put your trust in Jesus and say YES to living for Him?
Let's Pray
Gracious Heavenly Father,
You picked me to be the salt of the earth. Me! You called me to stand out, be set apart and to bring the colours of YOUR kingdom out in the world around me. There are days I don’t feel up to the task, when the worries of the world loom and all of me longs to take the easy road.
When my heart feels overwhelmed, lead me by your Spirit to the Rock of your unending love. Give me the courage, strength and self-control to live in a way that brings you glory and enables me to stay salty.
Amen
What's Next?
Ways to shake it up and stay salty:
Watch your words - are you ‘salting’ your words with Spirit-led life or going along with the complaints of the world around you
Get uncomfortable - use your voice to speak up and challenge the attitude at your table, choose to encourage those making tough decisions even if you don’t always agree with them, make the effort even when you aren’t in the mood.
Renew your mind - think about what you are thinking about. Reframe negative, life-draining thoughts into the salty goodness of praise, gratitude and prayer. It is okay to feel frustrated, sad, angry and forgotten sometimes. Take those thoughts to the foot of the cross, rather than taking them out on social media or going round in circles moaning.
There's a printable for that! Check out the free templates for this series to guide you through creating a Salt + Light action plan.
Listening to: Hillsong - Not Today, Catch the Fire Music - Make Us One, Maverick City Music - Refiner
Further Reading: Ephesians 5:3-4, Philippians 2:14-16, Romans 8:12-17, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 1:27-30
Have a blessed day staying salty and bringing out the God-flavours of the earth.
Join us tomorrow for Day 3!
Don't forget to listen to the Salt + Light playlist. Got a song we HAVE to listen to? Let us know!
Love
The He Calls Me Team