Daily Power #281

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col. 4:6)

Recently another family invited ours over for a meal to fellowship and get better acquainted. They treated us like royalty and we enjoyed a delicious meal. And because I had already seen a picture-perfect chocolate cake on the counter, I had made sure to save room for a small slice. After the first forkful was in my mouth, I was so glad I did.

And I was also glad I had a full glass of iced tea beside me. The cake was chocolate but was also flavored with smoky chipotle chiles. The combination was delicious together, just the right balance of sweet and savory, but not at all what I expected.

Our response to others often needs to be more like that cake. While gracious words can be as sweet as honey, our words also need a little spice sometimes. Without the right seasoning, our words, just like our food, get bland, predictable, and too easily digested. But when we speak the truth of God’s Word with a loving, compassionate heart, we can expect others to take notice.

In those moments, our conversations become not only encouraging but also challenging. Others see that we care about them and want God’s best for them, but they also experience an edge that convicts, motivates, and inspires them to more. When we’re willing to indicate the holiness of God’s standards as well as his loving mercy, then we offer the life-changing taste of the gospel.

Power Lift

Today, Lord, let my speech be flavored with the salt of truth as well as the sweetness of your love.