First, I sympathize with you. I really do. It’s tempting to unplug from the internet, pull the window shades down, lock your doors, and spend the rest of your life curled up on the couch chanting Psalm 23. There is a certain appeal to becoming an “Ostrich Christian” with your head buried in the warm sand of perpetual bible study and prayer. The world is ungodly and vicious. We are unwelcome strangers here and I completely understand your desire to construct a sort of “heaven on Earth” where you can hide out until the day you meet God.

I’d be right there with you if it weren’t for the bible. As usual, God’s word contradicts my whims. As soon as I finish making the blueprints for my “Holy Hidden Haven” where I’ll live out my days communing with the Lord, isolated from the anguished cries of a world going to Hell, I accidentally read this:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:13

 So much for my blissful life of detachment! Apparently, Jesus knew we “Ostrich Christians” would eagerly retreat under a bowl to spend all our time making our secret light brighter and brighter. Then we would congratulate ourselves for our spiritual maturity.

Ostrich Christians think spiritual depth is achieved by being oblivious to the existence of evil. They think ignoring the darkness is the same as shining a light. They memorize 1 Peter 3:15 (…be prepared to give a reason for your hope…) and then say things like, “I don’t talk about politics or religion because it’s too divisive.”

Salt is useless while it’s in the shaker. Bible study, church attendance, listening to sermons, and reading Christian books are great ways to fill up the salt shaker. But Jesus said that at some point, you’re supposed to turn the shaker upside down.

Salt changes the flavor of everything it touches. Christians are supposed to change the flavor of culture. Our presence should make a noticeable difference. I’ve heard Christians say, “My religious beliefs are personal. I don’t discuss them in public.” That is salt in the shaker. That is light under a bowl. Nothing to brag about.

As unpleasant as it is, you need to emerge from your spiritual safe room and start pouring salt on everything. You should expect to upset some people. You should expect to be discouraged. You’re going to need a support group.

Join mine. My Comedy Clique is an elite group of people with different experiences, opinions, and backgrounds but one important thing in common; we’re all salty. We are all united because of Christ.

But even if you decide to skip the Clique – choose to be salty. You can (if you want to) declare your saltiness with this handy Facebook frame: www.facebook.com/profilepicframes/selected_overlay_id=367944844227708

Now, get out there and change the flavor of culture.