What if salt isn’t salty?

Today we are reflecting on Matthew 5:13-16

So what would you do if your Garlic powder tasted like flour - eh? You’d throw it out! This is how Jesus describes the role of the faithful in the world. Those who love God and follow Christ are to be like the seasoning that draws out the God-flavor of the world (in the word’s of Eugene Peterson’s message paraphrase). Without garlic flavor - garlic would be a waste! Without the faithful - how would folks see the goodness and love and light and beauty in the world? Then Jesus switches metaphors - y’all are a light on a hill - shine! Show ‘em what it’s all about! This life is beautiful and God offers great love and beauty to us all!

So a couple questions for you. -

1. Have you ever felt like as life gets tough - that it’s hard to find the point? How did you find meaning again after a tough time? My guess is it took someone salty - someone to remind you.

2. Have you ever felt lost? Like you don’t know where you are going in your life? What was the light that guided you? Again, I suspect there was a person involved that was helpful - a word or a comment or a conversation.

3. have you ever been the one that listened to someone else as they figured out something important? it’s an amazing moment to listen another person into speech - to pull from them what they need by allowing the space to speak and be heard.

4. Have you ever prayed to Jesus - let him be the one to listen, and then simply let it go or waited for ideas or inspiration?

5. How might you be the seasoning for someone else in their life today? Tomorrow?

6. ‘What stops you from shining light for others? What stops you from ringing that bell?

Prayer: Lord God - you call us to love one another with love that listens, hears, and loves our neighbor. Help us to see those who provide salt and light in our lives, and remind us and inspire us to do the same for others. Amen.