Cast Iron?

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5,6

A cast iron skillet is seasoned while being used. If not washed with hot water, no soap, dried thoroughly, then wiped with oil, and at times placed under direct heat, it will lose its “seasoning” or resilience to the heat while helping us prepare delicious food. Recently, I’ve learned to cook steaks in a cast iron skillet. Due to this care of my skillet, the steaks are heavenly. On the other hand, do you have a cast iron skillet you’ve not taken the time to season? What condition is it in?

Ignoring time with the Lord each morning keeps me from “seasoning” my heart and tongue to meet the challenges of my day. We can learn from Paul’s instructions to the Christians at Colassae to promote the gospel by speaking graciously. Early Christians were subject to slander due to being members of a new religious movement, and a very small one. Subjection to slander and the temptation to retaliate verbal fire with fire was common. Tensions due to Covid induced changes have found many of us experiencing retaliation from unexpected people and places. May we remember Paul’s words and use them to be gracious to others. Responding to their negativity, accusations, and retaliations with words “full of grace” and “seasoned with salt” as Paul instructs. This is necessary for us to live the gospel among them.

I’ve had some people I would have liked to use my cast iron skillet on. LOL! However, the process of “seasoning” my skillet has shown me it must be done to keep my skillet in topnotch condition. For the condition of my heart to react as Christ would and would have me react, I must spend time with Him through reading His Word and Listening for Him through my quiet times for me to be topnotch when He calls.

Until We Meet Again

1. Reflect on these words from the Gospels:

“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. Matthew 5:13

“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

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? Luke 14:34

2. Who needs your gracious words this week?

3. Find a way, a time, and reach out to this person this week.