Seeking Stability
Salt comes in various forms, from fine grains like table salt, to larger, more delicate flakes. Whether sourced from seawater or mined from ancient salt deposits, this essential seasoning has been used for centuries in cooking and food preparation. One of salt’s most remarkable properties is that it never truly goes bad. As a mineral, salt is inherently stable and doesn’t support microbial growth. While certain types of salt may lose potency, clump up, or change in texture, the core structure of the salt will remain intact.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet” (Matthew 5:13, ESV).
Jesus has called us to be the "salt of the earth." And just as there are many kinds of salt, there are many kinds of people. We will all reflect our saltiness in different ways, through different personality types, different spiritual giftedness, etc. In that way, we are much like salt.
Yet, unlike salt, we are not "inherently stable." We struggle, we backslide, we grow complacent, we sin. We experience some measure of "microbial growth" and lose our potency.
Don't be an "impotent" or "clumply" Christian!
Only through abiding in Christ, perservering in faith, remaining steadfast in our walk can we deliver the true saltiness which bears witness of the full flavor and preserving value of the Gospel message.
"And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 4:1, ESV).
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV).
An Unplugged Lamp
A high-end designer lamp can be beautiful, expensive, and perfectly crafted. It might have the latest smart bulb and a stunning, elegant design.
However, if the plug is pulled just half an inch away from the outlet, the lamp becomes useless in a dark room. It has the potential to shine, but it lacks the power because it is disconnected from the source. It doesn't need to be fixed or repaired; it simply needs to be plugged in.
We often spend our energy trying to fix our behavior or decorate our lives to look more spiritual. But our light doesn't come from our own effort; it comes from our connection to Jesus. Abiding is the simple act of staying plugged into the power source. If you feel dark, cold, or spiritually exhausted, the solution isn't to work harder—it’s to check your connection. You may not need a new bulb or shade; you just need to plug back in to the power source.
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5, NIV).
The Richness of Scripture
If dessert makes you feel bad afterwards, someone did something wrong - and it wasn’t you. That is to say, rich desserts do not have to be heavy.
According to Chef Jeremy of MissoulaCakes.com, we can have all the yums without the gut bomb often associated with desserts. He says the trick is two-fold: layers and contrast. He claims that the full yum experience means having multiple layers with different textures.
As an example, he uses the scene from Willy Wonka where Violet is chewing the magical gum which transforms from turkey to stuffing and all the sides, then blueberry pie.
When a layered cake is done right, we can experience all of the richnes of the contrasting flavor distinctions, without the need for more fat and sugar.
Scripture is like a well crafted cake, rich and full of layers and textures — everything from biblical history, the Law, and prophecy, to poetry and proverbs, filled beginning to end with moral and eccelsiastical instruction, all layered with measures of personal, communal, and even global admonition and instruction.
Some might find that all a bit "heavy" to consume. Yet the Word of God is crafted so perfectly that it fills our lives with richness, with fullness, without any of the bloat. It is meant to be savored, consumed, and digested.
To that end, Paul admonishes us to embrace the whole of scripture, with all it's richness and many textures, so that it might have its fullest impact on our lives. We can experience all of its intended nourishment without feeling heavy. And like a delectible dessert shared among friends after a lavish meal, we can delight in it with grattitude and praise.
"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts" (Colossians 3:16, NLT).
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8, NIV).