It's soup season and I've got an easy one for you to add to your rotation! This is the one that you cook when you want to put off your grocery shopping another day because you likely always have these ingredients on hand. It's simple, and you know what I like best about it? That taste, of course! Sorry, that was a line my dad always says- haha!.
Hope you enjoy it!
Hello there! I'm back after a couple of busy weeks and I'm taking a bit of a deep dive here. You've been warned! But each week when I go to post, I just can't bring myself to select a draft that I wrote months ago, because the Lord has impressed something else upon my heart.
This particular topic was brought about by a humbling interaction that I recently had with a self-professing Christian. We had just met and were chit chatting about how much we love our town and what brought each of us here. I mentioned how much I loved the people here, and how grateful I was that much of the tensions that we see on the national news have largely been absent here. It was a comment I didn't think much of and assumed would be met with agreement.
To my surprise, this person responded with a look of subtle dissent and said something to the effect of "Well, with the overturning of Roe, I think that is going to be changing." They went on to share their disapproval of the ruling and suddenly it was my turn to talk. "Oh great, what did I get myself in to?" I thought. Rather than being prepared with a polite but truthful soundbite expressing my deeply held belief on the matter, I fumbled together some sort of diplomatic response to this new acquaintance who was my senior by 30+ years...."Well it's a very contentious topic. There are high emotions on all sides."
I came home and explained the interaction to my husband, telling him that I didn't want to come across as rude or contentious, attempting to justify what I knew was a missed opportunity to stand, not only for life, but for TRUTH.
Perhaps what made this conversation even more impactful to me, is that the night before, I had just listened to a devout Christian speaking about the abortion decision and the "gag order" that it seems like Satan is trying to put on us. I was fired up in agreement! Yet, the next day in that conversation, I was tested on it, and failed.
I'm sharing this humbling lesson with you because I believe this is something many Christians may have struggled with before, and we all may increasingly be given opportunities to "sprinkle salt" and speak truth in these current times. In order to do this though, we must be ready.
Jesus calls Christians to be salt in this world. Today, we mostly think of salt as a flavor enhancing mineral, but in past times it was a valuable commodity for preserving and slowing decay. Salt is an aseptic, which means it is free from harmful bacteria and contaminants. It prevents infection and was used to prevent food from spoiling. Also, contrary to the popular belief that salt adds flavor to food, it actually releases the natural flavors of the food by breaking down the cellular walls in vegetables, fruits, and meats through a release of sodium ions. I told y'all I was diving deep! But hang with me, I'm getting to the point. ;)
Keeping those things in mind, consider this scripture:
Ouch. It sounds like our job of preserving and slowing decay is pretty important to God. And despite my poor execution, it's important to me too.
I spent some time considering the spiritual idea of the "gag order" and my interaction in light of this scripture. Ultimately, when we allow Satan to silence us, we lose some of our saltiness.
When Satan convinces us that appearing kind and tolerant is of higher importance than speaking TRUTH to a lost and dying world, we lose some of our saltiness.
This is a focus on self rather than on God.
When Satan convinces us that "nuance" is required when God has given absolute clarity and truth on an issue, we lose some of our saltiness.
When Satan convinces us that celebrating righteousness is boastful and rude, we lose some our saltiness.
When Satan convinces us that evil is good and good is evil, we have LOST our saltiness.
I have believed for some time, and am even more convinced after seeing the response or shall I say RADIO SILENCE on the issue of abortion, that the "leaders" of the modern evangelical church are critically low in the salty department.
So how do we bring salty back? I believe we bring salty back by staying in tune with the Holy Spirit's leading, reading God's word, and responding in OBEDIENCE. It sounds so simple, right? God's word is truth, and this confused and broken world needs it now more than ever.
Is there something in particular that God has impressed upon your heart to do or say? I would encourage you to think through simple responses to the "hot topic" cultural issues of our day. That is something I wish I had rehearsed in advance. As my dad says, "Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance!" God wants us to unapologetically speak truth into the chaos of this world, and by a bit of thoughtful preparation, we can sprinkle some life preserving salt into daily interactions that arise.
The next time I have an opportunity to speak truth and life on this particular topic, I pray that I will be prepared and bold enough to do so.
Next time, I'll kindly and clearly say, "I REJOICE in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, because I believe abortion is murder and that innocent human life should be protected."
So here's to keeping it simple and....
Have a great rest of your week and know that I am praying for you!
Until Next Time,
I'm sharing a favorite recipe and one that is a go-to for bringing to new mamas or friends in need of a meal. It's a Southern Living original and I hope you enjoy it!
