Unblocking the Light: Becoming the Salt of the Earth and Reflecting God's Glory

Unblocking the Light: Becoming the Salt of the Earth and Reflecting God's Glory

Have you ever noticed that after something bad happens, good things often follow? I recently found myself reflecting on this after speaking with a friend. As we recounted fond memories, she pointed out one in particular, calling it her favorite. At first, I didn’t recognize the moment she was referring to, but then I realized—it was a snapshot from a time that had followed one of the worst fights we’d ever had in our friendship.

This realization reminded me of how frequently good arises from situations that, in the moment, seem overwhelmingly negative. It seems that every time something “bad” happens, good comes out of it. While both good and bad are inevitable parts of life, many of us have a tendency to focus on the negative. I believe this inclination comes from the fall of man, where sin entered the world and shifted our perspective. Yet, this mindset is an unnecessary burden, a handicap that prevents us from fully embracing the flow of life as intended by the spirit.

The human heart, in its weakness, tends to dwell on bad memories. We hold onto guilt, anger, and resentment, often isolating ourselves in the process. However, there’s a deeper truth at work. The spirit—the very essence of who we are, created by God—doesn’t operate according to the same rules as the heart. The spirit sees beyond the human desire to cling to negativity, instead recognizing the opportunity to transmute these painful experiences into something brighter and more beautiful. It is through this process of transformation that God’s light shines through us.

Yet, many of us block our spirits from fulfilling this divine role. We are ashamed of who we truly are, and when God’s light begins to shine through us, we hesitate. That light, in its purity, exposes everything—our flaws, our sins, our weaknesses. Instead of allowing the spirit to fully illuminate our lives and reflect God’s glory, we hide. We dim the light, afraid that what it reveals will make us unworthy of God’s love.

But here is where the truth of our nature comes into play: we are meant to be vessels of God’s light, shining it back to Him and bringing Him praise. And, like salt, we are meant to not only enhance the world but to transform it at its very core.

The Human as Salt: A Catalyst for Change

Jesus described His followers as "the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13), and this analogy holds deep significance. Salt, by its very nature, improves and transforms. It enhances the flavor of food, much like how our actions and presence can enhance the lives of others. But salt does more than just make things taste better—it changes the composition of the very things it touches. When salt meets ice, it melts it; when it is added to boiling water, it increases the temperature. In the same way, we as humans have the potential to shift the very nature of the world around us.

The composition of salt is what makes it so transformative. Likewise, our composition as beings created in the image of God gives us the power to transform situations and environments. But when we block our spirits with shame or fear, we lose this ability to make an impact. Just as salt loses its saltiness if it is diluted, we lose our ability to influence the world when we suppress the light of God within us.

Consider the trials we face in life—the bad moments, the arguments, the mistakes. These are like ice, cold and unyielding, or like boiling water, volatile and uncomfortable. Yet, when we allow ourselves to be the salt, we have the power to change these situations. Instead of dwelling on the negativity or feeling overwhelmed by our circumstances, we can bring warmth, healing, and transformation. We can take the "bad" and allow the spirit to transmute it into something good.

The Blockage: Why We Hold Back

But why do we block this light in the first place? The answer often lies in shame. When we shine God’s light through us, we are exposing who we truly are—our vulnerabilities, our imperfections, and our sins. Many of us feel a deep sense of unworthiness, fearing that if we are fully seen, we will be rejected, either by others or by God Himself.

This fear leads us to hide, to put up walls, and to block the spirit from shining as brightly as it could. Yet, it is in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we expose our flaws to the light, we allow God to use them for His glory. It is not about pretending to be perfect or sinless; it’s about allowing God’s light to work through our imperfections and use them to reflect His goodness.

Transformation Through Vulnerability

To truly become the salt of the earth, we must embrace vulnerability. This means allowing ourselves to be fully exposed to God’s light, flaws and all. It means accepting that we are imperfect but that through Christ, we are redeemed and made whole. By opening ourselves up in this way, we allow the spirit to shine through us and, in doing so, we bring glory to God.

This process of transformation is not passive. It requires action on our part—action that involves surrendering our pride, our guilt, and our fear. It requires us to see our weaknesses not as something to hide but as opportunities for God’s light to shine through even more brightly.

Just as salt doesn’t change the composition of ice or water by staying on the sidelines, we can’t transform our lives or the lives of those around us by hiding our light. We must engage with the world, even when it feels uncomfortable, knowing that through our actions, God is working to bring about something good.

The Ultimate Purpose: Reflecting God's Glory

In the end, our ultimate purpose is to reflect the light of God back to Him. When we stop blocking the spirit and allow it to shine through us, we fulfill the role we were created for—to bring praise and glory to God. This doesn’t mean that life will be without challenges or pain, but it does mean that through every trial, we have the opportunity to transform the darkness into light.

The beauty of this process is that it is ongoing. Just as salt continues to change the state of ice or water as long as it is present, we continue to grow, transform, and reflect God’s glory as long as we remain open to His light. Every bad situation, every mistake, every moment of shame is an opportunity for us to allow the spirit to work through us and bring about something good.

Conclusion: Becoming the Salt of the Earth

In conclusion, the analogy of humans as salt is a powerful reminder of our role in the world. We are here to make things better, yes, but we are also here to change the very nature of how things are. We are called to be catalysts for transformation, using the light of God within us to bring about His glory.

But to do this, we must unblock our spirits. We must let go of the shame and fear that hold us back and embrace the truth of who we are—imperfect, yet redeemed. When we do this, we allow ourselves to become the salt of the earth, capable of turning even the darkest situations into opportunities for God’s light to shine through.

Let us, then, step into this calling, confident in the knowledge that through every trial and every hardship, good will come. And through every moment of vulnerability, God’s glory will be revealed.