“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple…..“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

(Luke 14:27 and 34-35 ESV) 

Recently Caroline and I have driven up to Rochdale to pick up her elderly mother, Dora, and bring her home to stay for a few days to be a part of the family with the children and be involved in the celebration of various events such as the grandchildren’s birthdays or other festivals etc.  

Being old myself I now find it harder to drive the full 320 miles there and back so, when she can, Caroline comes with me and drives the first part of the journey until we reach an appropriate service station.

I had been collecting my thoughts as I sat in the car looking out of the window at the car park, when my attention was drawn to a bright yellow container.

 There, between the parking bays, awaiting the onset of the winter weather was this large plastic bin which held a mixture of rock salt, sand and grit.  It sat impassive, its contents ready to be spread onto the slippery surfaces by staff when the icy weather arrives.  On the lid it proclaimed in large black letters “Salt” and “Grit” which stood out against the yellow.

It reminded me how Jesus talks about the requirement for His disciples to first become, and then be, salt and light to the world on behalf of His Kingdom of God.  Frankly, after over fifty years of being a Jesus disciple I have been glad to be one but presently I was not much in the mood to exhibit being salt because of the anticipated effort required for the task ahead.  Then the second word on the lid came to the fore: “Grit”. 

I remember in the film “True Grit” (June 1969 Directed by Henry Hathaway) a character U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, played by John Wayne, who stubbornly set about doing what he thought was right, despite the personal cost.

Jesus sometimes calls us to show true grit, to do what is right, even when it has a high personal cost whether financially, physically or emotionally. 

Being “Salt”: showing kindness; compassion and seeking justice is what Jesus is asking of us.  So we can call out for His aid in tenacity, courage and will to keep on keeping on.  Jesus I believe takes an act of our will in doing as a consecration that may only receive its eventual reward in heaven. 

Prayer: LORD, we are often fallen, broken, worn-out, disheartened, overwhelmed by the situations in which we may find ourselves.  We ask You to be with us today, to restore and change our focus from down to upwards because we trust in Your unfailing Love to guide and provide, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Roderick Marshall