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Listen while you read: "The Day Of Resurrection"1 (Lyrics) |
While in a transition period in my career, I chose to transfer from my position in the main operating room to a new aspect of surgical nursing. I was approached by the administrator of the Same Day Surgery Unit. She was inquiring if I knew of a nurse who would like to work in her department, to which I replied, "What about me?" The rest is history. On the day when I left for the outpatient assignment, one of the surgeons came up to me and said, "The salt has left the operating room."
As I pondered this statement, I began looking to Scripture to verify its meaning. Salt is mainly used for seasoning and as a preservative. The Hebrew people were well aware of the importance of salt to health. Salt had a significant place in Hebrew worship. It was included in the grain offering, in the burnt offering, and in the incense used in the Temple. Covenants were ratified with salt and newborn babies were rubbed with salt in the belief that this action promoted good health.
Jesus described His disciples as the salt of the earth, urging them to imitate the usefulness of salt:
Matthew 5:13 – Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. (MSG)
The apostle Paul urged his followers, "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." (Colossians 4:6 NASB) We had a chorus that we sang in Sunday School which is so explanatory:
- What you are speaks so loud that the world can't believe what you say.
They're looking at your walk, not listening to your talk.
They're judging by your actions every day.
Don't believe you'll deceive by claiming what you've never known.
They'll accept what they see and know you to be.
They'll judge from your life alone.
Our actions, not our words, tell our story to the world that watches us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the ministry of our Saviour rendered during His lifetime on this earth. Allow our speech to reflect His in all situations. Keep our conversations seasoned with salt, always full of grace. Together, may our voices be in agreement with Christ, giving honour to You. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.
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Wonderful reminder Parise.
Yes! May we be salt and light. Blessings.
Thanks for this reflection, Parise.
Blessings.
Never a truer word spoken, Parise.
Thank you for sharing.
Parise, thank you very much for sharing with us. This was awesome and I loved hearing about your experience with the transition. May God continue to bless you.
Hi Parise! Didn’t realize you were in OR for so long! Wow! Good for you, but I imagine a change was welcome for you.
Thanks for all the devotionals.
What a wonderful surprise to wake up and read your devotional this morning.
The focus you placed on “actions” are more important than words is so true. People will know “who” you are by what you “do”. Both talk and action must be a reflection of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks again, your talk and action reflect Him.
Dear Parise,
I once heard, “Your actions speak so loudly, your words cannot be heard.”
Dear Lord, please keep your Way and your Words, both so powerfully in us that our actions will speak the same language as our words.
Keep writing.
Good morning Parise,
Thanks for your devotional. The summary on salt was very useful to me, an avid note taker. And I am sure the feather in your cap was well deserved. God give us all the great grace to be obvious salt of the earth and to deserve compliments such as you no doubt earned.
Blessings.
Dear Parise,
I can see why the doctor made that remark since he was about to lose a good nurse and valuable member of his surgical team. Your example on the job is a great testimony of Jesus’ teaching! Thank you for sharing this encouraging message; may we always be above reproach so that our lives will reflect and honor Christ in all that we do.
Dearest Parise,
Thank you for writing to us through PresbyCan Daily.
Amen! to your prayer.
The way you spaced out the Colossians 4 passage gave me time to meditate on each sentence.
Well done, Salty.
That was a good devotional Parise, but I don’t entirely agree with your last sentence.
One of my favourite verses is Psalm 19:14;
“let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord”……
I believe as you do that our actions reveal a lot about us, but equally so do our words, that come out of our heart. I know the Lord has dealt with me about my words as well as my actions and how the world perceives me.
Blessings.