The Salt That Lost Its Savor

After spending more than a year in Wales, I can attest that British fare is bland. I mean, don't get me wrong, there's a certain charm in a plate of fish and chips or a cuppa with a biscuit, but if you're expecting an explosion of flavours, you’ll likely be disappointed. And don't even get me started on their idea of "spicy." It's like they glanced at a chilli pepper from across the room and decided to call it a day. (And I don’t even like spicy food!)

But let's not linger too long on the world of food. Instead, let's dive into a bit of salty wisdom from Matthew 5:13, which says, Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Now, if I had to pick a culinary metaphor for Christianity, I'd definitely choose salt over bland British fare.  Oddly enough, even the salt here doesn’t seem salty.  How is that even possible?

But here's the deal with salt: it's not just about making things taste better. Back in the day, salt was used to preserve food and keep it from spoiling. In a world without refrigerators, salt was a game-changer. So, when Jesus tells us we're the salt of the earth, He's not just saying, "Hey, go add a bit of flavour to life." He's saying, "You have the power to preserve and make a difference in this world."

But what happens if the salt loses its saltiness? Well, that's the kicker, isn't it? Salt that's lost its saltiness is about as useful as a teapot without a spout—not very useful at all (especially if you live anywhere in Britain where tea is one of the main food groups).  In the same way, as Christians, if we lose our "saltiness," if we lose our distinctive flavour and purpose, we become about as effective as bland food. We blend in. We're forgettable. And we don't make the impact we're meant to. Just like British food without a dash of spice, life without the saltiness of Christ's love is a bit dull.

So, what's my point? It's not about becoming the spiciest pepper in the garden. It's about embracing our role as preservers of love, kindness, and truth in a world that sometimes seems to have forgotten the recipe. It's about bringing out the best flavours in life, making things better, and leaving a positive mark.

And let's not forget the rest of that verse, where Jesus warns that if the salt loses its saltiness, it's good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather not end up as the culinary equivalent of a doormat. I'd rather be the salt that seasons conversations, brings comfort, and preserves what's good.