lent devotion - salt of earth, light of world

​Salt of the Earth, Light of the World
by Deanna Carr

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

When I was little, we used to have a special speaker, well known in our denomination, come to preach every night at our church for a special week. It was always a big deal and I looked forward to it.

We also were blessed with a children's story. One night, our special speaker told us he had something in his shoebox that he would show us the next night, that had never been seen before and would never be seen again after that night.

All the next day, I thought about what it could be. I was very excited when we got to go up for the children's story that night. When we were all assembled at the front and we had been welcomed, he opened the box, took out a peanut in its shell, broke it open and ate it! My disappointment was probably palpable.

I am only guessing, but I think I remember the gist of what he was saying. He was telling me that there was no one on earth like me and never would be. Awesome. No other peanut like me. I have a purpose. I told this story to many of my students.

Jesus loves us all – all of us peanuts.

I had great parents who loved me. They took me to church, where I had teachers, friends and formed lifelong relationships. I learned about Jesus, who taught us about being salt and light. I have to let His light shine through me to enhance the beauty of the world. My peanut is designed to uplift, enhance, and bring light and to glorify God, but I’ve gotta be out of the shell.

So, is my life transparent so that the light of Jesus can shine through me; and does my life have the flavor that only God's grace can impart? What kind of peanut am I growing up to be? 

Thank you Jesus for being the Way, the Truth and the Life; and thank you for stories. Amen.