True Hunger and Thirst
Keiko Uzaki of Fresno, CA, USA
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. -Romans 14:19
One day, I received a phone call from my cousin telling me my mother was in a hospital with congestive heart failure. I went home as soon as I could. After my mother came home from the hospital, I had to learn many things in order to take care of her. For those who have congestive heart issues, monitoring salt intake is imperative. I tried making biscuits without salt. They were terrible! Absolutely tasteless! After all the work I threw them away.
While reading Leviticus 2, verse13 caught my eye. It says the Israelites must add salt to all offerings. All offerings? Yes, all. God expected from them the best of everything, and this included taste. Everything was to be an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
Why was salt so important? Since ancient times, salt was necessary for health and for preserving food. Moreover, it was so precious that it was used as a method of trade and currency with an exchange rate equal to gold.
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13). As we follow Jesus in our daily life, how we live becomes our offering to God. It should be full of the saltiness of God’s love, joy, kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Paul says without deeds, our faith is worthless; without saltiness, our faith is worthless.
The psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). The Lord always proves to be good to those who seek Him. But if we don’t offer anything that looks good, would people even want to try tasting it? Probably not.
As we crave delicious food, people are craving satisfaction in their souls. What this world gives cannot satisfy true hunger and thirst. May we value spending time with Jesus so we can offer delicious, salty gifts of Jesus to others.
Prayer Phrase
Wherever I am, God is here.
Spiritual Practice
Breathe deeply and prayerfully consider the story you have just read. What is the Spirit’s invitation to you in these words? What does it look like to wake up to God’s presence in this moment?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
