Have you ever been given a plate of food in which according to the recipe, salt should be used during the cooking process? However, clearly the cook did not use any because the food was very bland. As insufficient as salt may appear to be, this seasoning completely changes the taste of food.
Salt is also used as a preservative. It's an antibacterial that inhibits the growth of bacteria in food which keeps it from spoiling as quickly.
However that is not its only function. It also plays several major roles in the human body. Salt serves as a healing substance by feeding nutritional mineral elements to our cells and it dissolves, sanitizes and cleanses toxic waste from our system. It is also responsible for the balance of acids and bases within the body.
In all of the uses of salt, it must come in contact with something to function in its purpose. If it just sits inside the salt container nothing will get seasoned, preserved or healed.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." Matthew 5:13
Now let's look at another common household item -- lights. We all use them, and understand their function. However, just like salt, something has to happen in order for them to function effectively -- they must be turned on.
Imagine for a moment that a storm comes through and knocks off the power in a room full of people. Everyone in the room is holding a flashlight but no one turns their light on. What happens? The room stays completely dark.
As you approach this room with your flashlight in your hand, you have two options. You can enter with your light off and blend in with everyone else standing in the dark. Or you can walk in and turn on your light. If you turn it on, it will immediately change the atmosphere.
Let's take it a step further. After you turn on your light, you can begin showing everyone else in the room how to turn on their light. As a matter of fact, many would begin turning theirs on themselves just by watching you and your light because leading by example is one way to influence others.
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14-16
There is a good reason that God called us to be both salt of the earth and light of the world. Both have enormous power when they are functioning in their purpose. Simultaneously, both are useless if they aren't.
So you have to make a decision. Are you going to just sit on the counter and be something or someone that "could" impact nations or are you going to get out there and actually "be" that impact?
It's time for all of us to stop sitting on the sidelines when there are lives at stake waiting for us. People need to be changed, healed, preserved and shown the light of God. You are already equipped with everything you need, so don't you dare waste another moment.
Go! be everything God has called you to be! And do everything God has called you to do!
See I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:10
"Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." Isaiah 60:1-3