January 19: Anything but Ordinary
Scripture
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
—Matthew 5:13–16 (NLT)
There’s something interesting about what Jesus says here: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” Notice that He doesn’t say “try to be” or “work toward becoming light.” He says, you are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world. This is identity language. It’s not a command to achieve, it’s a truth to live out.
Salt in the ancient world wasn’t just about flavor—it was about preservation. It kept food from decaying. So, when Jesus calls us the salt of the earth, He’s saying, “You matter more than you think. Your presence helps preserve what’s good. It brings flavor, integrity, and life into a world that would otherwise rot.”
Then Jesus says something even more radical: “You are the light of the world.” That’s a title He once used for Himself (John 8:12). And now, He passes it to us. As followers of Jesus, we don’t just reflect His light, we carry it. He has entrusted us to shine in the places where He’s no longer physically present.
But what happens when salt loses its saltiness? Or when light is hidden away? It’s not just a waste; it’s a denial of who we are in Christ. Jesus didn’t call us to blend in or stay silent. He called us to live with purpose, to shine boldly, and to let our lives point people to the goodness of God. Not for our glory, but so others might be drawn to Him.
I believe it was C.S. Lewis who said, “Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him.”¹
You may feel ordinary, like you don’t have much to offer. But in Christ, you are both salt and light. You have a role to play, and even the smallest acts of faithfulness can make an eternal impact. So don’t hide what God has given you. Let your light shine, right where you are.
Reflection
1. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus calls you the light of the world?
2. In what areas of your life are you tempted to “hide the light” rather than let it shine?
3.Where can your presence bring the flavor, preservation, and goodness of the Kingdom today?
Prayer
Ask God to help you live boldly and intentionally as salt and light. Pray that your presence would point others to Him, and that your life would reflect the goodness of His Kingdom in both your words and actions.
Footnote
¹ Commonly attributed to C.S. Lewis, though actual authorship is debated.