Salt of the Earth: Part 2: Melting Away Problems

After a snow or ice storm we have to do some cleaning up so that it is safe to go out whether it is to school, work, or the store.  Often two different substances are used to help with snow and ice.  They are sand and of course salt.  Sand is often poured over ice or snow to help add traction which allows us to safely walk over an area.  Salt is used because when poured over ice or snow it will help to melt it away.

You see although sand is useful, it doesn't get rid of the problem (ice and snow), it just covers it up.  If the sand where to be moved the ice and or snow would still be there.  Salt on the other hand melts away the snow and ice.  The ice and or snow becomes water and is no longer a slipping hazard.

I think too often in life people are covered in sand.  They find quick fixes to situations and problems which ultimately just covers them up but doesn't make the issues go away.  People want to avoid conflict, (trust me, I try to at all costs), they don't want to get to the root of a problem or argument and instead they just try to throw sand on it.  They don't want to dig deeper to find out what the real issue is.

It is easy to throw sand but if we are to be the salt of the earth, we need to throw salt.  We need to get to the root of problems and have open honest discussions.  We need to talk things out and allow others to know how we truly feel.  We need to allow others the opportunity to tell us how they feel about us and truly talk through problems.  Melting away problems is a two way street.  We need to be open to trying to figure out the root of the problem and melting it away instead of just throwing sand on it.

We can also help others melt away problems by listening and being there for them.  We can be that shoulder to cry on or listening ear when they need it most.  If we don't take the time to help our friends are we truly being salt or are we being sand?

Continue to work on being salt.  Listen to others, pray with them, love them, and cry with them.  Be open and honest about your issues and don't try to cover up your problems with sand.  Be salt and your problems will melt away.