What Do You Add?

God has added so much to our lives. He has given us a beautiful world in which to live. He has given us senses by which to enjoy it. He has given us so many promises to give us hope and encourage us to press on in life. He has given us peace in knowing that Jesus' blood has the power to remove the guilt of our sins. And the list goes on. However, are we a container that just continues to fill and hold these blessings God has added to our lives as we trust Him and follow His way? Or are we a container that allows those blessings to spill over and touch the lives of those around us? God wants our lives to in some way add something to the world in which we live.

There are various ways in which the Scriptures describe a life lived as God would have it. One of those is found where Jesus said. . .

"(13) You are the SALT OF THE EARTH, but if SALT has lost its taste, how shall its SALTINESS be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." ( Matthew 5:13 ESV)

When we think of salt there are various things that may come to mind as far as its usefulness. Salt has been used to season food. Salt has been used to heal. Salt has also been used to preserve food.

To consider our lives as salt we should consider the following:
[1] Does my life add flavor to life?
[2] Does my life create a thirst for God and His Will?
[3] Does my life help heal the aches and wounds of others?
[4] Does my life help preserve the goodness and freshness of what is truly life?
[5] If not -- is my life then like salt that is only good for being thrown out and walked on?

Let us BE THE SALT of which this earth is so much in need. Be the seasoning, healing and preserving influence by which those round us need to be touched. That is how God wants to use our lives. He wants our relationship with Him to add something to life. Are we adding something? Are we influencing? That is our ongoing challenge! May we continue to allow God to do that work through us!

Have a great day USED BY GOD TO IMPACT THOSE AROUND US!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 05/13/1998 (edited some and passage changed to ESV)]

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