Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message Translation) Let me tell you why 
 you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out

 the  God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will

 people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end

 up in the garbage. "Here's another way to put it: You're here to 

 be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a

 secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city

 on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to

 hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light

 stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-

 shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening

 up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this

 generous Father in heaven.

 

 A friend of mine gave me this scripture this week to read and

 to be encouraged.  It did more than that. It invigorated me into

 who we are called to be.  You see salt was very common in

 Jesus' day, but also a very valuable substance.  So valuable that

 even Roman soldiers were sometime paid in Salt and when not

 performing their duties well, it was said, they weren't worth

 one's salt.  Of course salt was used to flavor and to preserve

 food.  But with no refrigeration the greater value was when the

 fish were caught in Galilee, they were packed in salt and sent to 

 market in Jerusalem.  The salt kept the fish from spoiling. 

  

         Let me say it this way, when Jesus said you are the

salt of the earth, He was saying that you are of great 

value to people because your life is packed with all of 

God's virtue and God's truth so that it won't be spoiled

or lost here on earth, but will be preserved. 

 

  So don't let your life lose its God infused value or flavor,

 because what God has placed inside you, is exactly what people 

 need. It just needs to be put into service.

 

 Jesus also goes on to say you are not to hide the light of the

 Lord  that's in your life, but put it where people can see it.  I'll

 illustrate this way. My family traveled up to South Dakota to my

 mom's old stomping grounds.  So my dad had a great idea to

 take a tour of some cavern's.  It was great and the guide told

 everyone to hold onto the railing.  Then all of sudden he turned

 the lights out.  I have never been in such a dark place and must

 say, I became a bit nervous.  Then a tiny light came on in that

 cavern, and every eye focused on that light.  It not only brought

 a certain splendor, but brought comfort and confidence that

 everything will be fine.  So let your bright self full of salt be the

 calming presence, voice of truth and spiritual leader in all

 situations and positions that God has placed you!