Let me tell you why you are here. You are 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. Matthew 5:13
The compound salt is really a pretty interesting substance. Basically it is a compound in the form of crystals which is composed mainly of sodium chloride that is used in seasoning and/or preserving. The compound salt is really a miracle. It is composed of two poisons, chloride and sodium. which if either is ingested by itself can cause death, but if we put them together they bring something extra to life. All of us need salt for fluid balance and muscle and nerve function, but too much salt is bad for us, so we hear, and that statement has made us a “salt conscious” society.
Prior to Covid, every restaurant table came with a salt and pepper set for patrons to use to season and enhance their food. Now, in most places, these elements are available only on request. It’s like people are trying to get us to take the salt out of our food and settle for a more bland version of them.
There is the seasoning side of salt, but there is also the physical side of salt. In this world, where would we be without people who add salt to our lives? These are the folks that enter a room, and you just know the atmosphere is about to change! Dads have that kind of effect on families in most cases. These special people show love, compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance in a salty way that might be a little different from the approach of a Mother.
Our Daddy was what I would call a Salty Dad. Although his name was John, he had so many colorful nicknames that showed his salty nature that it was hard to keep track. He was Bubba to his brothers and sisters, Big John to friends and many in town, Mr. John to our boyfriends, Flash to the snow ski instructor, Running Bear to the game warden, and Honey to my Mom. We just called him Daddy, and our children knew him as PaPa. He was funny, opinionated, loyal, a talker, a little crusty, and fiercely protective of his three girls and his family. His reputation proceeded him with our dates as he was known to be mowing the grass around 11 at night when we returned home with them! When he entered a room, the salt would be sprinkled and sometimes even poured all around. Although he left early every morning to go to the farm, he was home every night with his family, and the amount of salt he sprinkled usually depended on his day.
Jesus was a believer in salt as we see in Matthew 5:13 where he told his followers: “You are the salt of the earth.” He was addressing the common people such as fishermen, shepherds, laborers, and he was telling them that they were worthy and virtuous. These were those who were of great kindness, reliability, and honesty. I think he was referring to the value of all of us in the furthering of His kingdom.
We are called to be the salt in our families and this world, and as Christians there are several reasons why. First, the flavor of salt is distinctive, and it can make things totally different from other foods on our plates. Christians are asked to be distinctive in their beliefs and attitudes in order to make a difference in this world. What good is it to be a Christian if there is nothing distinctive and good about your that others can see?
Secondly, salt is used to preserve. It keeps things from decaying or deteriorating as it cleanses and disinfects. Just like salt, we as Christians are called on to keep on praying and working so that our families, this nation and our world will hold on and preserve the Christian heritage from which it came.
Next, salt penetrates into the food to which it is added. It can change the flavor from dull and bland to flavorful and tasty. We are called on to penetrate the community around us and change it from boring and unconcerned to excited and involved.
Lastly, salt flavors. It changes the taste of food to make it more appealing. Just like salt, we need to flavor the world around us for the cause of Christ. We have got to spread the salt so that the flavor of God’s grace and love can be experienced.
The world in which we live is becoming bland and tasteless. It’s up to us to sprinkle a little salt and influence people toward the greater good. On this week of Father’s Day when we pause to honor and show appreciation to and for our Dads, it is a perfect time to reflect on how often they bless us by pouring on the salt! Thank you to our Dads living both here and in their heavenly home!
Happy Father’s Day!