As the storm door closed quickly behind me and I entered the kitchen, I could hear the distinct sound of the makings of a good day. The silver perculator that sat on my Papa’s counter was working it’s magic that morning. I loved to watch the coffee rise and fall in the top of the perculator, and the sound was just a reminder, that his amazing coffee would be ready soon. There was just something about his coffee that was so good. And, yes, I drank coffee as a little girl, do not judge me. So, you may ask, what was his secret? Salt. Yes, it was that simple. Every pot of coffee he made, he put a pinch of salt in the coffee grounds. He always told me it took the bitterness away. He was right. Salt suppresses the bitterness of coffee. Who would have thought that just a little touch of salt could make such an amazing cup of coffee. He would pour some in my coffee cup, add enough carnation milk, that now my coffee looked more like a latte, and I would sit at the table and enjoy some coffee and marshmallow cookies with my Papa J.H. As I thought back to these moments and what He taught me about coffee, God reminded me that our lives are much the same as that pot of perked coffee. We need SALT! Let’s revisit our scripture in Colossians again,
Colossians 4:5-6 from the NIV reads,
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Being “SALTY” is vital if we desire to live a life that glorifies God and his greatness. People are looking at us. They are watching to see how we respond to life’s “bitter” circumstances. I want to look at several scriptures this week and find the common theme that the Lord is speaking to us through each of them.
· John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
· Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
· Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,”says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
· Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Just reading through these verses encouraged me that with Christ, I can face any circumstance and have peace. You can face trials and know that your God is an overcomer. You can trust that he will guard your heart and mind, and that although things around you seem to be shaking, He is still in control and as a child of God you will not be shaken. Let me say this again, “People are looking at you, Child of God”. They don’t need to see a life that is free from trouble or pain, they need to see a life that is full of PEACE and TRUST in the midst of the trouble. There should be a hope inside of us that draws people to know Christ. We must show a world that is swayed by life’s circumstances, that Jesus Christ is our firm foundation and with Him we can stand firm even in uncertain situations.
The “Salt” in our life should suppress the bitterness of difficult circumstances. What would seem devastating to those who don’t know Christ, should be an opportunity for a Child of God to show just how great God is. Does this mean your circumstance will immediately change, that the trouble will suddenly disappear, that the hurt will just go away, not always, but it does mean that the PEACE of God in your life will cover you. Your life will speak volumes to those around you… And when they ask how you do it… Give them JESUS.
“When life brings uncertain and difficult circumstances our way,
as a child of God, we should not be devastated,
but directed to the presence of a mighty God.”
The world around us needs to see the peace in our lives that only comes from Jesus Christ. You are an overcomer because you serve a victorious God. Stand tall, stand confident in knowing that no matter the circumstance, that the peace of God that passes ALL understanding will guard you and encourage you. God’s word and his presence is essential in living this life with authority and impact. So PASS the SALT please!
