It’s Amazing…Kind of Like a Multipurpose Tool
Most of us are familiar with multipurpose tools. A multi-tool is a hand tool that combines several individual functions in a single unit. There are a variety of different kinds, but all have one thing in common…this one tool can perform multiple tasks.
Basic Multi-Tool – usually includes a blade, a can opener, a bottle opener, screwdrivers, scissors, wire cutters, and pliers. With these, you can cut your food, gut a fish, slice or cut almost anything, open bottles, etc.
Oscillating multi-tool – is a diverse tool with a variety of different attachments. The head of the oscillating power tool moves side to side up to 20,000 times per minute.
Rotary multi-tool – is similar to an oscillating multi-tool. It is a small handheld tool that features a rotary tip that spins in a circular motion at very high speeds and can accept a wide variety of accessories and attachments.
Similar to these tools, salt can serve multiple functions.
Salt enhances the taste of food and also serves as a preservative. Both of these things make life better, but only if used.
In Matthew 5:13, we are called to be “the salt of the earth”. We’re told that if “we lose our saltiness we will be thrown out”. Like the multi-tool we each have different tools we can use to make the world better. Like salt, if we don’t do our part to make the world better, we’ll be thrown out.
Salt has been used as a preservative for ages.
Salt draws water out of food and dehydrates it. All living things require water and cannot grow in the absence of it, including bacteria. Salt is used to preserve beef jerky by keeping it dry.
In Mark 9:38-50, once again we are compared to salt. We can preserve others from hell by sharing Jesus. Hell is a place where “the fire will never stop”.
Jerky is meat that is prepared and preserved without cooking or refrigeration. Think about this…
Being salt to the world is helping others be preserved without having to experience the fire of hell.
There were a group of Mensa International members having lunch when they noticed that the salt and pepper were in the wrong shakers. Mensa is a non-profit organization of people who score in the 98th percentile of IQ.
As they studied the situation with the salt and pepper, they began trying to figure out ways of getting them switched from one shaker to the other, using only the things on the table, without wasting or spilling any. As they were contemplating this, the waitress came to the table. The group being proud of their intellectual ideas, they shared the dilemma with the waitress. She listened to their ideas and then…she switched the shaker caps.
Don’t make being salt of the earth more complicated than it needs to be. Determine who God has called you to be and live that out in the world every day.
Salt does no good if it’s left in the shaker.
