Thoughts - Be Salty

I love podcasts.

If you aren't familiar with podcasting, it's essentially a radio show that can be downloaded from the internet.  Some of them are in fact radio shows from NPR and other large market stations.  Some podcasts have experts in various fields dispensing information about their passions and interests.  And some are just a couple guys in a basement letting the mic run while they talk.  But whatever your own interest, there are podcasts for everyone, music, art, comics, film, baking, religion, auto repair... you name it. 



I say all this because recently a podcast informed me of a really cool movement that's gaining momentum.   That movement is the Compassionate Action Network.  In many ways, Compassionate Action Network seeks to accomplish goals similar to those that formed the original genesis of Acts in Motion.  CAN is forming a global network of service groups with the vision for a more compassionate world.  In another post I'll probably go into more detail about CAN, but until then you can check out what they are doing at the website:  http://my.compassionateactionnetwork.com/

This is one example of a recent trend I've noticed.  Grassroots ideas are taking off in unexpected places.  People, in all sorts of settings, are coming together, seeking community, striving to make stronger, happier communities.  And we are called to be on the front lines of these efforts.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  - Matthew 5:16

The world is hungry for change.  Our last presidential election can testify to that.  If President Obama's entire platform could be summed into one word, it would be just that - change.  It appears that people are still seeking it eagerly, since in the Congressional elections they generally changed out a Democratic majority for a more balanced legislature.  

Anyone can easily see the things that are wrong with the world.  We live in a broken world.  One filled with homelessness, hunger, disease, war, and pestilence of various and nameless kinds.  Lots of people see these things and even strive to combat these evils, but as followers of Christ, we are specially equipped to stand out for change in the world around us.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."  - Matthew 5:13

You've no doubt noticed how salt can change bland food.  Salt is useful in a number of ways for the preparation of food.  It preserves.  It aides the chemical reactions in baking.  And most notably salt enhances something's taste.  It "awakens" the flavor of almost any dish.

And this is how Jesus describes us.  Only a few sentences later, He'll declare that our works shine before men to the glory of God.  How then are we to be this salt?  How do our actions add some 'spice' or enhance those of unbelievers around us? 

At a glance this seems oddly contradictory.  These verses about salt and light are sandwiched between the Beatitudes which discuss meekness and peacemaking.  Then in the first few verses of Matthew 6, Jesus will admonish His followers not to do their good deeds "to be seen by men".  He even goes so far as to say "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing".

If our actions are not to be done "to be seen by men", how can we shine before them?  If Christ commands that our giving and praying and fasting be done in secret, how can we be the "salt" that awakens the earth? 

I believe we can get an idea of what Jesus is driving at from the end of Matthew 5.  The Sermon on the Mount covers a great deal about Christian living.  A lot it of covers ways in which we should interact with people around us.  Most of it runs very contrary to our human nature, but Jesus is unflinching in what he expects of those who follow Him:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'  But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."


Not resisting evil.  Turning the other cheek.  Give someone who sues you your cloak and your favorite Husker jersey.  Jesus is telling His disciples to do something new in the world.  He's asking us to respond to every situation with love.  Even when another person is out to get us, even when that person is our enemy, Jesus says "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be son of your Father in heaven."

This is no simple task.  It goes completely against our human nature.  We want revenge.  We demand justice in every situation.  The rich have a duty to provide for the poor.  The bad guys have to be stopped.  Little boys are ravaged by disease for a reason.  But that's not the point of Sermon on the Mount.  It says like "Be patient with your enemies, because God is going to shake things up."  Jesus doesn't make any assurances about justice in this realm. 


Jesus says, "Love..."  Love the man who cheated people out of millions of dollars.  Love the liberals. Or conservatives.  Love the terrorists.  Love the neighboring family through the impossible.  This is how are lives will shine.  Lives that are so steeped in love they shine like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.  Even though you don't intend to have it show.

Again, this is no easy tasks.  Jesus says, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  We are called to nothing less.  No less improbable task then the perfection of the Father, and it is not in our nature.  It's in no human's nature.  Simply to aspire to it more and more each day is the best any of us can hope to do.

But take heart.  Paul gives us some encouraging words in Philippians 1:3-6 and I will  leave you with these:

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."