The Spice of Life

Standing in the grocery store I pause with amazement at the wide assortment of spices on the shelves.  There are many herbs, spices and flavorings to please our palates. Hot, mild, salty, sweet, sour and savory, they come from all over the world. Spice enhances our life through taste and smell and gastric delight. I love fall for all of the color, the harvest and the spices we use. Apple cider, pumpkin pie, jams and breads are blended together with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla…..yum!

Did you know that salt has been used by all cultures since the beginning of time? It is the most important of all “spices”.  As NaCl -sodium chloride- a naturally occurring mineral, it is valuable in sustaining the life of our very cell structure. We need salt to maintain our fluid and electrolyte balance and keep our bodies functioning properly. Salt is used to preserve food and enhance its flavor. Salt is also used to melt ice to keep winter paths safe.  Jesus and the apostle Paul used the analogy of salt to illustratrate Christian living.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.   Matt 5:13 (ESV)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Col 4:5-6 

We are the salt of the earth! But if we are over the top too salty or self righteous we will “taste bad” to others. If our family and friends don’t see a difference in our lives then we are not enticing them to check God out.   We should be sharing how our relationship with Jesus enhances everything in our lives and offers eternal preservation.  Do you have balanced “salty” speech? Watching our words and actions is just like measuring spice for a recipe because sometimes more isn’t better! We also need to realize that The Church is made up of “spices” from many cultures, countries and walks of life.  Learning to blend well with others is important for growth and healthy relationships.

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.     2 Cor 2:15-16 

The sense of smell is powerful. It sends messages to the brain that gives sense that distinguishes food from garbage. It can help warn of danger – as in the smell of fire or a skunk and has the power to evoke memories.

Today, think how can you can be salt and a pleasant aroma to draw folks to a relationship with Christ. How can you use the blessings of the season to share our faith?  I want people to know the beautiful and fragrant  “Spice of Life”, Jesus Himself, because only He can fill and satisfy our hungry souls.

                 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!      Psalms 34:8