Parental Dependence
CHILDREN'S LESSON:
In my back yard are some very small trees. When they were first planted they needed lots of care. They had to be watered and fertilized. They were not strong enough to even stand on their own. Sometimes the wind blows very hard so they need a stake in the ground to support them.
Boys and girls, that's why God has given you a Mom and Dad that want you to grow up in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like your parents held your hand when you were learning to walk, you still need their support to grow spiritually. Your parents help you know right from wrong. Your parents may even make you do chores, homework and perhaps even Scripture memory. All of these things are like that stake in the ground; they help you grow up to be a strong follower of Jesus.
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
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).
Making Life More Authentic and Flavorful
According to the company Sea Salt, who call themselves "purveryors of exquisite salts":
Salt elevates the flavor of food. Whether it's a pinch of kosher salt sprinkled on a dish or a complex seasoning like Himalayan pink salt, salt plays a crucial role in the culinary world. How salt affects the taste of food is fascinating and complex, involving both the physical properties of salt and its interaction with our taste buds. Salt enhances two of our basic tastes: sweet and umami while suppressing bitterness.
So just how does this work?
Enhancing Sweetness: One of the most significant ways salt affects flavor is by making sweet foods taste sweeter. Salt has the ability to suppress the perception of bitterness, which in turn highlights the sweetness in foods. This is why a small amount of salt is often added to sweet baked goods, such as cookies or brownies, or to desserts like caramel or chocolate. Salt reduces the bitter notes in these treats and makes the sweetness more pronounced.
Balancing Flavors: Salt can also create a more harmonious balance of flavors. In many savory dishes, a pinch of salt can round out the flavors, bringing a complexity that might be missing without it. It does this by acting as a flavor enhancer, intensifying the taste of other ingredients. For example, adding a touch of salt to a tomato-based pasta sauce brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, creating a well-rounded dish.
Enhancing Umami: Umami, often described as a savory or "meaty" taste, is another flavor that salt enhances. Salt interacts with glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid in foods like tomatoes, mushrooms, soy sauce, and cheese. This interaction amplifies the umami flavor, which is why salt is often used in conjunction with these ingredients to deepen the savory taste profile.
Salt and the Role in Texture and Mouthfeel: Salt also affects the texture of food in subtle ways. In baking, salt can strengthen the structure of doughs and batters by interacting with proteins, helping them bind more effectively. In meats, salt draws moisture to the surface, which can result in a crispy texture when cooked. This is one of the reasons why salted caramel or salted chocolate are so delightful—the salt enhances both the flavor and the texture, creating a multi-sensory experience.
When salt is applied to food properly, it is not so that we can taste the salt, but so that the food itself tastes more authentically as it should. Salt makes food “foodier.”
When Jesus’ disciples answer his call to be the salt of the earth, they help to make the earth more authentically as it should.
As we rise to the call, we can, for ourselves and others:
- Make the earthly experience "sweeter"
- "Reduce the bitter notes" of life
- "Create a more harmonious balance" to the chaotic experience of life
- "Enhance the flavor" of the every day experience
- "Deepen" everyday experience with meaning and purpose
- "Strengthen the structure" of life itself
- Bind us together in Christian love and unity
Our role in the earth is to enrich and enhance, making it more truly a realm of blessing for all humanity and creation.
“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).