Thursday, November 26, 2015

you are the salt

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

Until I did a bit of research about salt, particularly salt in ancient times, I was unimpressed by  being called "the salt of the earth." Then I learned about the value of salt. In ancient times, entire kingdoms rose and fell because of salt. Our word "salary" is derived from the word for salt because Roman soldiers were often paid in salt. At times, its value has been more than twice that of the relative value of gold today. And, unlike precious metals, the value of salt is not because it is scarce. Salt is a naturally occurring resource that is a very important and common part of the earth. Its value is derived almost entirely from its usefulness. Salt can be used to enhance food and to preserve it. It is important in agriculture - animals who lack salt in their diets will not thrive and grow and produce like those that do. It is used in medicine and purification, as well as in many religious ceremonies. Salt is comparatively easy to find, but it must be harvested. This is how it becomes valuable. Because it is so necessary for daily life, salt accessibility was a great commodity that entire nations fought over. Many countries had a Salt Road that was the hub for trade and commerce. In short, salt is valuable because of its usefulness, but only once it has been harvested. The great Harvester of souls has given us incredible value. Our value is not intrinsic - we are common; a few among many millions who roam this earth - but our value is tied to our usefulness and the fact we have been freed from where we were in the earth for the purpose of being useful to the Harvester. It is the work of the One who came to free us from where we were that has given us great value. Praise to the Harvester of our souls!

One problem with this passage that I didn't understand was that Jesus talks about salt losing its saltiness. I have never experienced salt becoming unsalty. In fact, the chemical compound of salt, NaCl, is one of the most stable compounds in the world - it does not change readily. I am always intrigued by passages that don't seem to make sense at first, so I did a bit of research on the methods of harvesting salt in the Middle East. Interestingly, often salt is harvested from salt marshes and lakes that dry up in the summer. The white crystalized substance that is left has the appearance of salt, but it is partly salt mixed with many impurities. If this salt-like substance is exposed to the elements, particularly water, it loses its saltiness. This is because the NaCl dissolves in the water and what is left is mostly the impurities. The people who lived near Jerusalem in Jesus' time knew that this "salt" was not good for anything except to be thrown in the roadways - particularly because it was very bad for farmland - nothing would grow anywhere this white, salt-like substance was thrown. We could make many comparisons here to Christians who have become too diluted with impurities. Let's just say, though, that Jesus doesn't say this salt isn't good for anything - just that it is only good for the pathways - to keep weeds from growing in the road.

Monday, November 23, 2015

salt and light

veins of salt. ancient as the earth itself.
filling the ocean. deposits generously scattered.
so needful for these creatures of dust.
a reminder of origins. for from dust you came.
earthy. common.
all of creation holds its breath.
watches these salty, dust-creatures.
created of earth. destined for heaven.
earthen vessels carrying the glory of the Creator.
celestial lights concealed in clay pots.
trees and stars gasp in delight.
the One who named them submits.
the brightest light in the universe binds Himself forever to this earth.
True Light as an earthen vessel.

He is poor in spirit - He made Himself nothing.
He  is One who mourns - in every way, just as we are, yet without sin.
He is meek - becoming obedient to death.
He knows hunger and thirst for righteousness - He imparts righteousness to all through faith.
He is merciful - because of the great love whereby He loved us.
He is pure in heart - the Spirit Himself testifies to our spirit.
He is a peacemaker - the Great Peacemaker, our peace, being brought near through His blood.
He is persecuted because of righteousness - bearing our griefs, yet esteemed stricken.

one living, breathing Mediator between earth and heaven.
join with all nature in clapping our hands at the majesty of His great faithfulness.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

a conversation with God

me: I don't know what to do! I really need you to look after this. Please. Please show me how to deal with this.

God: You already asked me to handle this. Now you just need to be patient and let me do my work. Give me time - you'll see what I can do!

me (whining): I know, but can't you just give me some peace??

God: You don't have peace because you don't believe me. You don't believe that I can and will fix this situation.

me (thoroughly humbled): Forgive my unbelief!

Oh, it was so true! I didn't believe. And the moment I confessed that, the peace did come and all of the physical symptoms of anxiety that had been tearing up my insides dissipated. What Satan wants most is not for me to commit some terrible act of sin, but just to lose my faith - my hope in the Lover of my soul!

Friday, November 6, 2015

good things from long ago

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (emphasis mine)

I've been fascinated by this verse this week.  Imagine it: His Masterpiece! Can't you just see the brushstrokes in your life? I can. A little light peeks through the dark spots in the belly-laughs and happy sighs. A few shadows dance on the shimmering waves - they are the burdens of care I bear each day. Both are necessary in a masterpiece.

I've been created twice! Knit together in my mother's womb, filled up with surprise after gift-wrapped surprise - all waiting to be unwrapped and used for good. However, before I got to the good things that were wrapped up inside me, I was robbed. Every seed holds within it the promise of more. And the seed of sin in me was no different. It grew and blossomed and multiplied. Pre-disposed to believe the lie that God was holding out on me, I fell headlong into the despair that only distrust of my Creator could bring. A nagging belief that I could never be good enough prevented the ancient gifts from being opened. I needed a rescue. A Creator this creative wouldn't let something this good go to waste. He never wastes anything. He re-purposes, re-uses, and re-creates.  Anew! I've been made anew.

Now, about those Good Things...

Those are being discovered and unwrapped every day. Some are sparkly, Facebook-worthy, exciting good things. Others are the simple beauty found only in ordinary moments. And through them all I am finding myself - the real, originally-created me. It calls me back to an ancient truth: I am created in His image. I am created for good things.