The following devotional was written for the Ashland Area Emmaus Community. Jeff graciously agreed to let me reprint it here for our devotional community.
Are you salty?
We're just back from the beach, relaxed, renewed and re-created, and ready get back to work. Well…three out of four ain't bad.
I love the beach. I love the ocean and the sights and sounds and smells. I love walking on the beach early in the morning. I stand in the water and look east at the early morning sun (this year, unlike most years, I slept in and missed the sunrises. I was really relaxed). I’m on the very edge of the earth; I think about how many other people have stood on a shore somewhere in the world and looked out at the vast horizon and marveled at God's creation.
I love the pounding waves that promote a rhythm of gratitude. When I am at the beach, I take the time to think about how grateful I am for God's goodness, for God's grace, and for the fact that God uses me, even me, to do ministry. Too often, I let the busyness of everyday life and work crowd out my gratitude. Too often, I let my routine and the interruptions to my routine cloud God's gift of clear vision.
I love the saltwater -- the stinging in the nicks and cuts, the burning in my throat and eyes -- all those things I hear others complain about. The first thing I do is plunge in and open my eyes. I feel cleansed by the saltwater and the abrasive sand. If you question whether you're in saltwater or fresh, open your eyes.
When I leave the beach, I am salty.
Jesus said that we are "to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?" Matthew 5:13.
When people are around me, do they know I am salty? Can they open their eyes and sense it?
Are you salty?
Jeff Taylor
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