There are only two elements that can change the destiny of any nation…and these elements can only initiate this turn of destiny…by changing the heart of its people…when they are properly applied!
The First: Salt
How do we know if we have salt in our society or not?
There is only one true question that will indicate whether or not salt is being applied throughout any society…the question is… “Are things getting better?” Is the best in society being brought forth…or the worst? Are its streets clean, or are they filled with garbage and its walls littered with graffiti? Do the people care about the appearance of its businesses and homes? Are things in order…or…are they in disarray. Do the people show good will towards one another…or are they overwhelmed with a culture of greed, hate,and envy? If society as a whole is on the decline…it either lacks sufficient salt…or the salt that is there…has somehow lost its effectiveness…or has become completely devoid of any flavor altogether!
The one redeeming characteristic of salt that gives it value…is its ability to bring out the best in food. Flavor that before was profoundly hidden…suddenly and vibrantly comes to life…only when the salt is added!! To put it more clearly…It makes food better!! When the element of salt is added in any society…it begins to want to be better! It begins to care about the appearance and order of things. And when the salt is added to any society…I guarantee you that things will get better! They will come into order! When salt is added…people start caring about each other! They begin to value others…and the cities in which they live! Salt makes people care again!
I have had many people come along in my life whose sacrifices, integrity, wisdom, and success set standards for me. Their great actions and great character acted as salt upon my heart and mind. How? They made me want to be a better person!! I wanted to be like them! Who is it that our society today seeks to imitate? Who is being the salt in our lives today? Who is the salt to our children! Is the salt in our lives and our society today driving us to be a better society…to be better people…or is it not?
The Second: Light
How do we know if the light in our society is on or not?
The answer to that question is simple. “Do we see our surroundings clearly…or not?”
Simply put…When the lights are on…we see! When they are not…we don’t!
When do thieves break in and steal? Do they come through your front door in the day where all your neighbors and friends can see…or through the back door behind the fence at night? Rats and cockroaches do not do their greatest damage when the lights are on. They do their greatest damage in the night…when they are off. You show me a society lying in darkness, being overrun with thieves…and I will show you a society that lacks truth…one that has fallen under the power of darkness…and darkness has one weapon that keeps its power in place. That weapon is “Lies”.
There is only one power with which light can defend itself against the lie of darkness…that weapon is “The Truth”. The light is turned on…only when “The Truth” is revealed! In the same way that the power of salt is only revealed when it is applied…the power of light is only enabled when someone…or some group of people turn it on. What is the main function of light? Is it not to help people see? Without light…people stumble. Without light…people walk in darkness. Without light…people walk blind…they walk only by the hand of another... and no longer owners of their own lives…they become slaves of others.
Just as salt brings out the great hidden virtues of society…so does light! Light not only exposes the evil…but reveals great good…good that our enemy does not want our society to see! Hidden talent! Hidden wealth! Hidden gifts! Hidden love! Hidden knowledge and wisdom! The light enables people to see better…live better…run faster...do more! Light helps us see where we can love more…show more mercy…have more compassion!
Conclusion:
If the world is to be changed…We must be “The Salt” … which added to it…will make it better!
If the world is to see…We must be “The Light” … which when turned on…will help it know truth!
"You are the light of the world...You are the salt of the earth." Jesus Christ