Devotional

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” Mark 9:49-50

Scripture is filled with metaphors to teach us things, like a season of our lives being compared to a desert land, dry, scarce of resources and water, and extreme temperatures. It just may be appropriate since our congregation lives in the desert. Seasons through the desert will increase our dependence on God. The Israelite people didn’t have food while wandering the desert, and God provided manna and quail for them. However, the desert does have its own ecosystem and resources, like plants filled with water, and rock salt deposited in dry river and lake beds. Yes, you can harvest salt in the desert.

Salt in scripture represents things like purification and preservation. The Levitical sacrifices were salted in that manner. We are called to be the salt of the earth. We are to season one another through trials and temptations (salted with fire) to add flavor to our character and spirit, and to season the world with the good news of Jesus. If you find yourself lacking to do this, you are not alone. Salt that loses flavor can only serve as salt if given more salt from others. This is why we are encouraged into fellowship and peace with each other. We can season the world in the flavor of Jesus together.

Prayer

Lord, there is a desert season in which I feel entirely depleted. My soul hungers and thirsts, melting with sorrow, and nothing seems to comfort or satisfy. And yet it is in this season when your provision is most evident. In this season, I learn to trust and cling to You. In this season, I am strengthened to withstand temptation and persevere through trials. In this season, I am refined and purified for good use. Wash me clean, break me apart, and separate me from all impurities – make me the salt of the earth. May my heart be open to what the desert teaches and may my relationships, opportunities, and conversations be seasoned with Your goodness.

Scripture Memorization

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.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Brooke Ligertwood – Desert Song

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs