The Lord Jesus said it. We are the salt of the earth.

And then he warned that we do not lose our saltiness and become good for nothing—left to be thrown out with the bread that’s gone moldy or the empty cans of diced tomatoes, dog food and tuna fish.

Salt of the earth serves as a preservative, to help stave off rot and keep the world from going bad, to help us keep the world if not fresh, at least unspoiled for a while. Maybe we are even called to be a sort of irritant, astringent, to be the salt that stings a wound but helps it heal. Ouch. That hurt, but it’s going to be good for me in the long run. These Christians can annoy but they help balance out the rest of heathen humanity and slow our slide toward hell on earth, not to mention the more eternal version.

Like the varied types, colors and grains of salt, so are the people of God. So indulge me and let's go some different directions.

Table salt is the salt we’ve all grown up with—the one in the round blue box and the umbrella holding girl. It’s always there in the cupboard, waiting to be noticed.

One man I know feels most comfortable with the down and out, with the mentally ill. He has the ability to understand and care for them. He relates to them without discomfort or alarm after many years of being with them. He points them to Jesus when he can. He sees God’s Creator hand on them. Salt goes to the common places.

Kosher salt is what I use when I want to turn cucumbers into pickles.

Another man I know is starting to visit men in jails and hopes to tell them about Jesus and how he can turn shattered hearts into new creations.

Pink Himalayan salt is pink. It is saltier than regular table salt. We have a lamp made from it. I think you can pay money to sit in a room where the walls are lined with it, not sure what that's supposed to do but this kind of salt is a thing.

Another friend had hip replacement surgery. The day afterwards, she climbed up the stairs of her home. She did not pass out. That was all she could do that day. The next day, she brought art to show in our upcoming art gallery. I won't name her, but if you come to the new show, she's the one with the photograph of all the deer in the snow and no, it's not PhotoShopped.

Grey salt, or celtic sea salt is thought to help with blood pressure. I’m not sure if I believe it.

One of our STARS writes out a book of the Bible by hand. A whole book. If he makes a mistake, he stars over from the beginning of the book. Imagine the sense of accomplishment when he reaches the end. What a refreshing interaction with God’s Word.

Flake salt is big and crunchy, an especially welcome addition to a salad or a sweet where a pinch of salt and texture might add another element.

One missionary friend of mine wrote this week to say that some of his colleagues are fleeing or trapped in areas with active airstrikes from fighter jets and regular artillery shelling. One city is seeing particularly heavy fighting, but the situation around the country is changing daily. Northern Shan State, where this recent wave of battles began, has also seen widespread fighting. There seems to be a higher level of active fighting in all of the ethnic minority areas.

I don’t know what to say about fleur de sel (flower of the salt). It is somehow harvested from the ocean. It might be called the ultimate flake salt. For most of us, salt is salt, but this one is a finishing salt. When sprinkled on a cookie or a cooked egg, it brings its own flavor to the food. At least that’s what I’ve heard. I’ve never tried it. Too expensive and hard to find, I've never experienced this one.

So many salts, such a big world. May God bless us and use us today.

Present at creation, Jesus knows his salt. He’s made every kind of salt there is, from the common to the expensive. As his salt of the earth, he wants to shake us out to flavor the world with grace and truth.