1. Salt
LaurenA. Birago070113
Recently Irealized the importanceof demonstrating thatIam a believerwalkingaChristianjourney,
specifically tothose whoare not. ThisisdifferentthansayingthatIam. My actions and qualityof
speechshouldshow it. Whenmylanguage is offensive andriddledwithnegativity,ormychoicesdonot
reflectGodlydirection, itdoesnotonlyaffect mylife,butthose whoare watching aswell. The observer
couldbe in transition. Theirheartcouldbe wonderingaboutJesus,thoughtheirlipsclaimotherwise. It
islikely thatthey’ve heardof him,andmissedthe significance of hissacrifice.Theymayhave accepted
the account of hislife asa mythto be addedtothe stories of the Greekgods. Theywatch,lookingfora
difference,butfinding the same.
Some know myfaithand the distinctionthatissupposedtocome withit, yetI have displayed,attimes,
a mindthat has not beenrenewed andemotionsthatare not subjecttohigherorder. Hidingmy
struggles,boutsof despair,andemotionalhardshipisnotasuitable alternative,anditfalselyportrays
my Christianjourney. Revealingit,asledtodo so, showsthat I sufferthe same stormyweather,rough
terrain,andemotional upheavalduringtimesof conflictortrauma. Angerrisesup in me whenmy
boundariesare crossed like manyothers. Sadness burdensmyheartwhen hurtbythose dearto me, for
painhas no respectof persons. Depressiontakesitstoll,cloudingmyvisionandpollutingthe beauty
before me. Andyes, Isin. Sharingthese experiences helpthe unbelieveridentifywith mycontinuous
renewal process asa believerinChrist,butonly if I seasonitwithpure humilityandhope. Itshowsthat
theydo nothave to be perfecttocome to the Lord for support,direction,andcompanionship. Through
it God can tear downthe mythsand disprove the naysayersthatproclaimourhypocrisy. Itisan
example of imperfectionbeingperfectedbythe Perfect.
I invitedsomeone towalkwithme inthe Christianjourney byopeningtheirhearttoletJesusin. They
respectfullydeclined byexpressingtheirbelief. Theyhadno reasonto considerlife beyondthis one;
therefore theydidnotsee aneedfora savior. For yearsI’ve had the opportunitytoshow thisperson
the Spiritthat dwellswithinme, andbe persuasive through actionsandconversationssetapartfromthe
world. However,I have chosenrepeatedlytosuccumbto the language that isnot a representationof
my God andmy Savior. I have not properlyrevealed astruggle towhichtheycouldrelate. InsteadI
showedthemthatI wasin the throesof anger withhostile languageandlittle roomforforgiveness.
Judgmentspewed frommymouthlike chewedtobacco,andblame like flameswithanaccelerant. Iwas
not honoringGod,nor showinghisSon.
I am among those calledtobe the saltof the earth; topresenta seasoned offering, withoutcorrupt
communication. Mywordsare to introduce God’s workmanshiptothose whoare unaware,ashe
removesmyblemishesthat blurhisreflection. The saltthat Jesustoldusto have inourselves(Mark
9:50), isour intrinsicvalue, ouressence thatidentifiesustoGod,and God to those whosee himthrough
us.
The momentcame when I couldtestifyof Jesus’support,directionandcompanionship. Ihadthe
opportunityto share that he quenchesmy seethinganger, weavesjoyinmysadness,andupliftsme out
of the pitof depression. IcouldproclaimthatJesusisthe solution,empoweringme tosolve thingsthat
are impossible withouthim. ButIhad to presentitwitha disclaimerbecause Ihadalreadycorrupted
my presentationof him. Mysalthad “lostits saltness”(Mark 9:50 KJV).

2. Salt
LaurenA. Birago070113
I’ve alwaysknownthatmyconversationshouldbe acceptable inGod’ssight,butIdidnot realize the
impactof choosingthe opposite. Iquestioned,“Isitreallythatserious?” Itiswhensomeone’ssalvation
dependsonit. I didnot linkthe life of anotheruntil Iwitnessedmymissedopportunitytoresendthe
invitation. InChrist,the opportunitytorepentiseverpresent. Throughthisexperience Ihave been
enlightened. Iwill be more mindfulof the saltthatI am.
“Let your speechbe alwaywithgrace,seasonedwithsalt,thatye mayknow how ye ought toanswer
everyman.”(Col 4:6 KJV)