Called to be Salt by Judy Wiedenkeller "Sprinkle salt on a bird's tail," my grandmother teased, "and you can catch him." Even though there is no truth in that old saying, we should never underestimate the power of salt. In the Old Testament God commanded sacrifices to be sprinkled with salt (Leviticus 2:13). Salt served as an important part of remembering and renewing God's covenant promise to His people (2 Chronicles 13:5). God purified the water of Jericho with a bowl of salt (2 Kings 2:20-21). Roman soldiers often received their wages in salt. In Matthew 5:13, we are called by Jesus to be salt to the world. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? How can we be salt to the world? How do we retain our saltiness? Just as salt crystals catch and reflect light, our lives can reflect God's light and love. His resurrection power working in us sets us apart from the world and its diminishing standards. As His Spirit directs and guides us, our lives sparkle with His grace and strength. The salty influence of Christ's life in us can stir up a thirst within those who watch us. They see us living with joy and quiet trust in the promises of God's Word, despite painful and challenging circumstances. The Holy Spirit can use that Word to create a spiritual longing within and lead them to the Living Water Jesus promised the woman at the well. Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water, springing up to eternal life (John 4:14). God's restorative grace at work in us provides seasoning and gives flavor to our lives. When we are filled with the brightness of a settled heart and the confidence of eternity because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, we can overflow to others in love and service. In answer to our prayers, even for those who misunderstand or hate us, and as we show and tell the good news about Jesus through what we say and do, the Holy Spirit has opportunity to work. A few kernels of rice placed in a salt shaker keep the salt free-flowing. In the same way, the Holy Spirit within us also keeps us "free-flowing"-effective and useful in God's service, free to be shaken out into the lives around us who need to know the love of Jesus. May we joyfully serve as salt, O Lord, to a world desperately in need of Your seasoning. Keep us salty! Amen.