Golden Nugget: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Daily Verse: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” —Mark 9:50

Daily Message:

It’s hard to hear about corruption in high places and low, especially in groups that are meant to serve the underprivileged. When salaries, perks, and nepotism overtake the original cause of an institution, it’s time for reform. A communications professor at a state university in Wisconsin responded to complaints from other staff members that they had “bad” students who dropped out or high rates of transfer by saying this: “The problem is not with the students. We are the problem. We have not been welcoming enough, concerned enough, and willing enough to do the hard work to keep them here.” 

It’s this kind of self-awareness in high places that can shift the culture of an institution. When we remember that the point of living is to love and to serve, we can be made “salty” again.

If we are aware of our faults and are dedicated to correcting them—individually and institutionally—we will be part of the re-flavoring of our family, neighborhood, and society. We will then be preserving—just as salt does—the original purpose of creation: to fill the world with flavor and fruitfulness and make peace wherever we go.

Consider This:

• G. K. Chesterton entered an essay contest in which prompt was: “What is wrong with the world?” He won with his two-word answer: “I am.”
• How would you answer the question?
• What do you think Chesterton meant? 

Take Action:

Think of a way that your work environment or home could be more people-friendly for the people there—coworkers, family members, etc. For example, write a card thanking someone for something you appreciate about their contribution to that environment.