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Jesus’ driving concern in this famous passage is about the Christian’s effectiveness as an agent in the spreading reign of the kingdom of God. His desire for us is to maintain our “saltiness” as we move about in this otherwise “tasteless” world (more on that in the devotion for tomorrow, Part 2). 

Two questions:

     1.  How is it we lose our “flavor” as Jesus’ followers? The one-word answer is “distraction.” In many ways, we get pulled away from who we are and whose we are. 

     2.  How can we stay “salty”? If distraction is the issue, then our daily practice of paying attention to what Jesus cares about helps immensely. 

I’m told an airplane checks and changes course thousands of times on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. What keeps it on course is the “lock” on its destination. We learn spiritual disciplines for this very purpose. Every day, even many times in a day, we can check to see if we are on “course” by remembering our purpose through prayer, scripture, and intentional service in His name. By “taking five” each day, you are practicing this discipline. What is our purpose? Jesus put it simply, “You are the salt of the earth!” What does that mean? Come back tomorrow and find out in Part 2. 

Prayer: Loving Father, You are the only One who can make me “salty.” So, today I will fix my eyes on You and follow wherever You lead. Amen.

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