This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to gather with pastor couples in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. This was part of the ministry I serve with that offers retreats for pastors and their wives. Our ministry, Proyecto Fortaleza (The Strengthening Project) exists to focus on spiritual renewal and marriage enrichment.
The theme of our retreat this year was, Becoming Holy. Our sessions dealt with what holiness means and looks like, and how we are to strive for that holiness in our lives and in our marriages. 1 Peter 3:16 says, “be holy as I am holy.” Our commitment to follow Jesus means we are to truly follow Him – every day. Our decision to surrender to Jesus and accept Him as Savior is a commitment for a lifetime. But to make Him our Lord is a daily decision. We have to decide, each day, if we are going to strive for holiness or just go through the motions.
One of my readings for today came from the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:13-16. In this passage Jesus says we are salt and light. Much has been said about being the light of the world. We are to let our light shine so that all who see it give praise to God. That is what we are called to do as believers – live in such a way that others see Jesus.
But we often rush right past the illustration of being salt. Salt is less about what we do and more about who we are – or are becoming. Salt, because of its internal properties, enhances the taste of food. But Jesus pointed out that if salt loses its saltiness, it is of little use. As I have meditated on this idea, I am reminded that we are to do our part to keep our soul close to Him – to keep our saltiness. Jesus is more concerned about who we are and what we become than what we do. If we lose our passion for Jesus, our light will not be effective. It starts with being salt before we can be light.
So don’t lose your saltiness. Take time to grow in your faith – to stay close to Jesus. He has called you to be salt to a tasteless world and then to be light in the darkness around you.
He is counting on you.
Clay in the Hands 
Glad to know that the pastor and wives retreat went well. We missed you here at the same time! The FBC group was a blessing and I think left inspired. I pray that in whatever way God worked in their hearts, this was only a beginning, and the harvest of those seeds, will be felt in our church at FBC.
I wondered if you could add the DR staff to your blog? I think it would be a source of encouragement and blessing. Let me know what I would need to do. Thanks.
Joanna – just have the staff go to http://www.clayinthehands.com and click the “Subscribe” button on the right column of the page. Then each new post will be delivered to their email.