The only rock we eat

This is my 99th post. Apparently to be successful at this whole blogging thing, you have to write everyday.  Apparently you have to understand all the statistics, what they mean, how to impact readers, find your own "writer's voice", care about "hits" and loosing "followers".  I guess it is a good thing I don't even know what my "writer's voice", sounds like or how to read my blog's statistics page. I do have a vague idea of which three posts were read the most, but it is only very vague and totally dependent on how I, (and that is a scary thought), interpret the data.  Oh, and you have to be very careful and edit, edit, edit and worry, worry, worry about things like spelling, correct grammar and sentence structure.  Clearly, I fail at that.  I actually laugh when spelling or grammatical errors are pointed out to me.  I have always wanted to respond, "Thanks, I am looking for a full time editor.  Would you like the job?" I also have had to explain more than once that type font changes, size of font changes, fragmented sentences are actually a literary device.  My only unmet expectation of this endeavor was I had hoped and imagined more posted comments.  I had dreamed of stimulating deep conversation.  I know, I know;  very, very unrealistic.  And given that my other writing project at the moment  is consuming a tremendous amount of time (another type of voice),  and learning how to write in yet a completely different voice professionally, I can't commit to my fun "blog" writing daily.  So, how could I expect to build a "following."

And that is the funny thing about Jesus.  I often think his presence was the key to his deep inner sense of peace and why people were attracted to him in the first place.  His grace was so practical, vibrant, deep and sacramental.  Handed over daily without effort,  like passing the salt around the dinner table.  And that is what the gospels suggested on Sunday, that we be salt.  Salt has a very interesting history. 

Salt is the only rock directly consumed by man. It corrodes but preserves, desiccates but is wrested from the water. It has fascinated man for thousands of years not only as a substance he prized and was willing to labour to obtain, but also as a generator of poetic and of mythic meaning. The contradictions it embodies only intensify its power and its links with experience of the sacred. And Jesus told his disciples to be the salt of the world. But the Morton Salt Co. did not exist back in the first century. When they mined salt from the quarry or pit it was never completely pure.
Occasionally the salt they gathered was so impure that it was not very salty at all.
When that happened they would cast it out the door to harden the pathway that led to their home.  What Jesus is saying in these verses is that if we as His followers are going to change the world we have to be pure salt, we have to be the real deal.
Jesus believed that real, authentic presence could change the world. 
Our lives cannot be a mixture of impurities. We have to be un-compromised, pure, and authentic.  “How do you know how to best invest your life? How do you  know what’s wisest and where’s wisest and who’s neediest and who needs salt? And then I read this parable and it made me think. 

There are four Americans digging in the rubble in Hati after the earthquake.  “So in this parable, the Christians start digging. And after several hours, they get out three Haitians: one dies of cholera, one straight up takes off without time for Jesus or thank you ma’am or nothing and only one’s kneeled down to help.” 

“So then the parable has all the American Christians stop digging and have a meeting. Reasses. Are we doing this wrong? Are we being wise stewards here? Maybe we jumped in here too fast and need a better plan?”

“So the Christians have all this talk of stewardship and timing and plans and politics — all amidst the cries of people who are actually dying under the rubble…”

Then one American Christian bends down and begins the work again of freeing those who are trapped. He works frantically with energy, passion and tears.

The others look at him for a moment and then one asks him, “Brother, where have you found this energy for the task? Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

“Don’t you see, loved ones?  My heart is trapped beneath this rubble, too. We are all in danger if we do not respond to this need. We are all in grave danger – those who are below the rubble and those who stand above….

My witness before the throne of Jesus lies beneath this rubble.”

So sometimes it is the waiting to decide what to do that prevents anything from being done.  Saving the world isn't all that hard I think.  Jesus left twelve fishermen who were dysfunctional at best and not exactly loyal to be salt. Just twelve.  So being a little salt is easy.  Just decide who needs your love most right now.  Who needs to lay a burden down.  Who needs a hug?  The world is full of hurting people and we can fix it by passing around a little salt.  Pass the salt please.