The Mystery: Revealed

        If you take a short tour though Wikipedia, you could learn a lot about salt. For example, salt is a compound of sodium (Na), an unstable metal that can suddenly burst into flame, and chloride (Cl), a lethal gas. Salt regulates the exchange of water between cells and their environment, aiding the absorption of nutrients and the disposal of waste into the bloodstream. Sodium, which the body cannot manufacture, is necessary for muscle contraction, as well as the transmission of nervous impulses. Chloride is essential for digestion and respiration. An adult body contains about 250 grams of salt—enough to fill 3 or 4 saltshakers—but we are constantly losing it through bodily functions. It is imperative that we replace this lost salt, as any athlete or day laborer sidelined by cramping knows all to well.

         During the times in which the Bible was written, salt was much more precious, and people better understood its value. “And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt” (Leviticus 2:13). The need for various animal sacrifices passed with the death of Jesus Christ. However, the apostle Paul urges us to “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). In the Old Testament for a sacrifice to be acceptable to God, it must be salted. So today, in a symbolic manner, our lives (Matt 5:13) and speech (Col 4:6) must be salted as well. As much as our bodies need physical salt, so our community needs some spiritual saltshakers.

 Colossians 4:5-6   “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

         Here in Destin I have learned the meaning of the phrase, “old salt”. It generally describes someone who has made the ocean a center point in their life. Whether it is a life spent fishing or boating, the “salt” title is only available to those who actually live the life around the ocean.  In contrast to the tourists who patron our shops and beaches and buy the “I Love Destin” T-Shirts, and act like professional fishermen, then return home where their “real” life begins its familiar routine – a routine that is completely depleted of the ocean and salt lifestyle.

         I pray that Shoreline Church is know for having “salty” people who make Christ an everyday part of their life, not just on weekends trips or as a church tourist. Our community desperately needs more salt and less t-shirt slogans. Now go on and be that saltshaker…