Seasoned With Salt
I’m one of those Gen-X types who wrestles with the tension of winsomeness and courage. I hate snark. Tossing buzz words out in conversations can change the tone of an interaction instantly. So many words are politicized today. Particularly as I work with students, I must be careful not to dismiss my opportunity to break through with them with a single word. As a result, I try to play the middle while certainly holding very conservative values.
Listening to the podcast episode this month when Dr. Chupp hosted Dr. George from Princeton really struck me. I need to be more courageous. I’ve erred too far on the side of winsomeness. Working out on the elliptical as I listened, the thought hit:
Courage without winsomeness can be cantankerous. Winsomeness without courage can be cowardice.
So how do we navigate this fine line between a world that is so black and white (many use the phrase “truth and love,” which are very black/white terms). My worldview on this comes from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, which he wrote from prison.
4:2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 4:3 At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4:4 Pray that I may make it known as I should. 4:5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone (NET Bible).
It’s about grace, seasoned with salt. Grace is the winsomeness, and courage is the salt. It’s not easy, but it is of utmost importance to hold both traits in our culture. Truth in Love is clearly a biblical command as well. That’s the phrase we most often hear. However, in Ephesians 4:15, where we see that phrase, Paul is talking especially about the believers becoming one. But here in Colossians, Paul is very clearly speaking towards our conversations with not-yet-believers. Grace and salt. Lead with grace, but don’t avoid the salt. We ought not be bland; but we also don’t want to become a bad taste in someone’s mouth. Will you continue to join me in prayer as I seek to be full of grace, seasoned with salt with students and healthcare professionals throughout the Western region?