Be Salty and Be Bright

Big Idea: God calls his people to be noticeably different.
Matthew 5.13a, 14a (CSB): You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.

Devotion: I cooked Crawfish Stew a few months ago. I had gathered everything I needed to prepare the meal and started by boiling the potatoes in crab boil. I normally use the liquid crab boil (it has a lower salt content) rather than the mix, but I didn’t use the liquid boil this particular day. I didn’t think anything about it and loaded down the water with the mix. I then saved some of the water to use as stock for the stew. When I got ready to eat the stew, I was excited. However, to my disappointment, the stew was horrible! It was extremely salty. So salty that it wasn’t edible.
 
Salt can save a meal and it can ruin a meal. When used correctly, salt enhances the flavor a dish. It can also preserve food and be used as fertilizer. Salt brings noticeable change and enhances the things it touches. In the same way, light also brings noticeable change. Flip the lights on in a dark room and the room is no longer dark.
 
Jesus told us that we are to bring change to the situations we find ourselves in. He told us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are to influence people and situations by bringing the transforming power of the Gospel with us. Today’s passage isn’t just a catch phrase we use from time to time. Rather, it’s a life changing truth that affects how we live out the Gospel. Be salt and be light...be noticeably different for the sake of the Kingdom. 

For Reflection...
-How would you explain today’s verses in your own words to a friend?
 
-In what ways can you influence those in your life for the Kingdom?
 
-Pray and ask God to show you how to be salt and light in your life.

Salt and light speak of the influence Christians can exercise for good in society. --Billy Graham