Out of the Saltshaker, Into the World
Scripture Reading — Colossians 3:1-17
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”
Matthew 5:13
First challenge: Jesus calls his followers salt. Salt is meant to flavor food. It does no good in the saltshaker. Until it is shaken out and mixed into food, it is of little value.
God’s missionary people are meant to add flavor to the world (John 17:15-16). The comfortable way to live is the easy way, to stay encircled by like-minded Christians in holy huddles. But that is also the way to stifle our growth.
Nothing keeps us praying and diving deep into God’s Word like being with the “harassed and helpless” (Matthew 9:36) who are seeking after God. As we build relationships with seekers, we discover they are people whom God loves too. We are also drawn into a closer and deeper relationship with Christ as we share Christ’s life and love with them.
Second Challenge: We are to remain salty and flavorful. Working with people who have not yet experienced Jesus’ transforming love and grace, we see the power of addictions and the ugliness of sin. We are then driven to and not away from Christ, who keeps us salty by his Spirit in us. We are led to righteous anger at the false promises and seduction of the materialistic, hedonistic culture that seeks to deceive and enslave us.
How is your saltiness today?
Lord, some of us know you. Others do not. May your Spirit enlighten, transform, and fill us in a way that flavors a world in need of you today. Amen.
About the author — Allen & Lynn Likkel
Revs. Allen and Lynn Likkel have worked in communities across North America for many years—planting churches, nurturing them along, and developing new church leaders. A minister in the Christian Reformed Church, Allen served with Christian Reformed Home Missions for nearly 40 years, and Lynn, also ordained as a minister of the Word, has served to build leaders and new congregations. In November 2010, Allen entered retirement, and the Likkels moved to Washington, their native state. They have four adult children.
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