21 Days of Hunger - Day 12
Matthew 5:13-16
Guess what everyone? I’m learning how to cook. In the past three months, I’ve learned how to cook parmesan crusted salmon, fried chicken drumsticks, and a Santa Fe omelet. For some of you, such a feat may not seem impressive, but for those of you who know me, you know that this nothing short of a miracle. So...I’m learning how to cook, and I have an amazing teacher. My wife has exhibited an enormous amount of patience, as she continues to put up with my second guessing and my never-ending questions. One of the more important lessons that I have learned from her is the importance of seasoning. Seasoning!!! Seasoning makes the difference! (I feel like I’m shouting right now!) There is nothing worse than a piece of cooked chicken with little to no flavor! What a waste of a drumstick!
Let me tell you something about seasoning. My wife made Jerk Chicken during the Christmas break, and my goodness...when I bit into it...I thought I heard Jesus speaking to me. It was amazing!!! As our family shouted her praises, she looked at us and said, “It’s the seasoning.” She seasoned the chicken a day or two before, and then she left it in the refrigerator and allowed that seasoning to minister to that chicken (...and what a ministry!) The seasoning made a difference.
Jesus declared in Matthew 5:13 - “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” Can you imagine that? Jesus declared that believers are the seasoning of the earth. In other words, our presence...wherever and whenever...should produce a changing effect on our surroundings. As bitter as my workplace can be, my presence should change the flavor. As bland as my marriage can be, my presence should bring flavor. With all of the craziness of this current political and social climate, our presence should bring flavor.
My friend posted this on social media the other day: “As the world fights to figure things out, I'll practice letting people cut in front of me in traffic, saying good morning to everyone, keeping babies entertained in grocery lines, stopping to talk to someone who looks lonely, tipping generously, calling people by their name on their name tag, waving at police officers, sharing food, giving children a thumbs up, being patient with sales clerks, and smiling at passerby's as often as I have the opportunity! Why? Because I refuse to stand by idly and exist in a world where unconditional love is invisible. I invite you to join me in showing love, judging less, and finding your own way to swing the pendulum in the direction of love. Be kind to a stranger today, it just may turn into a friend you have never met.
When Jesus thinks of me, I would hope that he is smiling because my presence is making people think of Him today. Unseasoned cooked chicken is bad, but what can be worse than an unseasoned Christian? Jesus said, “It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”
Say seasoned my friend.
It’s in the seasoning!
