The lighter side:
Pass the Salt Please!
An insurance agent was filling out the typical paper work for a claim for a man involved in a accident. The agent read the list of injuries submitted and could not understand the extent of the injuries and how it all happened.
The agent called the insured, Mr. Taylor, " I need a statement of exactly how all these injuries occurred. You submitted in the form that you have fractures in both hands, fractures at both of your ankles, three broken ribs, lacerations to the head and face, and a fracture to your skull. Can you please explain how all this happened.
Mr. Taylor answered, "I would be glad to. You see I am a brick-layer by trade and I was finishing up at the jobsite for this project and I had some left over bricks that I wanted to take with me to the next jobsite. It was well past quitting time and the normal crane operator had already went home. But, I saw a barrel tied to a rope and a pulley that some of the other workers were using to get materials up to the upper floors. So, I started at the ground floor and lifted the barrel to the tenth floor and tied it off. I then proceeded to the tenth floor and filled the barrel with the remaining bricks. I then proceeded to the bottom floor and un-tied the rope from its post. The rope started to pull away quickly and without thinking I grabbed it as tight as I could. The weight of the barrel and bricks you see, weighed 350 lbs. My weight is 160 lbs. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I looked up just in time to see the barrel meet me at the Fifth floor. This is where I received the lacerations to my head and face. Still holding on for fear of a great fall, I continued upward and saw myself coming quickly upon the pulley. Loosing myself, I continued to hold on to the rope until two knuckles from each hand were firmly implanted into the pulley. This explains the fractures to both hands. At this same moment in time, the barrel crashed against the concrete pad and the bottom fell out of the barrel dropping its full load of bricks. With the barrel now weighing only 60 pounds, I found myself falling back toward the ground floor. At around the fifth floor I met the barrel on its way back up. This is where I received the three broken ribs. Still holding on the rope I continued my downward plunge until I landed on the pile of bricks where I broke both of my ankles."
The agent asked, "Well that explains a lot, but it doesn't explain the fracture to your skull."
Mr. Taylor answered, " Well, I was not finished. At the time I landed on the pile of bricks, I lost all presence of mind and let go of the rope"
The above story illustrates how sometimes even those with good intentions, tend to beat themselves up. Causing unnecessary damage to themselves and the surroundings while being enthusiastic with their work.
Jesus called us to be the Salt of the world. He has separated each Christian out to His own. Using the title Christian immediately puts us on the stage to be a testimony to the world. We are to be an example of His light to this world. Salt is another testimony to the world of His creation and fore-thought. Jesus tells us: If salt looses its flavor than what good is it. It is of no use to the world and is fit only for the dung heap. A little salt in the right place can add flavor to the blandest meal. Without it, any meal would truly be lacking. In similar manner, with the lack of Christ in the world; the world would fall into turmoil. With moral restraint removed, a world seeking its own would soon fail, or fall into unbearable turmoil. We can only imagine what the end of greed, and selfish pursuit, and corruption unleashed would look like. It would be unbearable. Maybe comparable to a meal without salt. All your meals without salt. After tasting salt and enjoying it without conscious thought of its presence.
Salt also is a preservative. In the time before refrigeration, it was used on meats and fish to slow or stop the rotting or degradation process. In this way, Christ's presence in this world stops the degradation of the world. To add Salt to this world also has a healing affect. We are told in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Salt also stings when it touches bare flesh. This is a reminder of those who do not know of the healing power of God. Upon first exposure to Him and His word, it stings the flesh, but also heals it. And this is unfortunate that those who first hear, tend to pull back, rather than allowing a full curing and preservation to take place.
In many ways salt used in the wrong measure can cause a meal to be too strong to be palatable and If used too sparingly, then one cannot detect its presence. Many zealous (enthusiastic) Christians may heap it on too strong, or not use enough. But, we should always leave ourselves open to the Spirit of God to guide us to show ourselves to the world. Be consistent, use a little each day, and then in His power and timing more will be called to the marriage supper of the Lamb and God's saving grace. But, find yourselves laboring, for we do not know the hour of His return. Remember today is the day of Salvation.
James 3:12-18
12Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Colossians 4:6 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Luke 14:34 34"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
Mark 9:49 49"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
Mathew 5:13
13"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Job 6:6
6 Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7 My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.
2Chronicles 13:5 5Should you not know that the LORD God of Israel gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons, by a covenant of salt?
2 Kings 2:20: 20And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. 21Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’" 22So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.
Numbers 18:19: 19"All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the LORD, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD with you and your descendants with you."
Leviticus 2:13 : 13And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.