Seasoned to Shine: Living as the Salt and Light of the World

Have you ever wondered why Jesus called us to be both salt and light? These two simple, everyday elements carry a powerful reminder of who we are meant to be—women who bring flavor, preservation, and hope to a world desperate for both. Salt enhances, light reveals. And in every season of life, whether you feel bold or barely visible, God’s calling remains: shine where you are and season the world with His grace.*

This isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about living a life so anchored in Christ that your words, actions, and kindness brighten dark corners and flavor dry places. Whether in your home, your workplace, or your community—your influence matters. Let’s explore what it really looks like to embrace this beautiful, world-changing role as salt and light.

In Matthew 5:13–15, Jesus says, “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.”

For many Christians, this passage holds great significance, yet its powerful message has been at times lost on us. It is only in the context of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, we discover the core of his message:

Those who embrace and live by Jesus's teachings truly become the salt and light of the world.

As believers, when we embody the principles of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–7:27) and demonstrate them for others to see, we have the power to inspire some to respond positively and find salvation. While others may ridicule and persecute us, we remain steadfast in our commitment to obey Jesus's words. The Beatitudes are meant to be lived out not just in isolation or within the church, but in every aspect of our lives. As God's witnesses, we have the opportunity to reveal His nature to the world through our actions.

Interestingly, when Jesus's audience first heard this message, their understanding of the value of salt was vastly different from our perception today. Historians reveal that the Romans held salt in such high regard that it was considered second only to the sun. Roman soldiers often received their compensation in salt rather than money, and in many ancient societies, salt symbolized friendship and covenant making. In Jesus's message, salt also served as an analogy to the preservation of the covenant. His comparison is to remind us to remain steadfast in our commitment to him and our vital role in enriching the world and preventing it from becoming worse. When we see a friend on the verge of making a poor decision and we guide them to reconsider, we are actively preserving the goodness in our world.

Second, Jesus also calls us to be light to the world. When we compare salt and light, They are two very different things. You cannot see salt after you season it in your food, but you can taste it. In contrast to light, it helps you see. Light reveals what is right and what is wrong. God’s people are to proclaim God’s word in a world engulfed in darkness. Jesus is the true light and we are his reflections. He is the Sun, and we are His moon. So today are you like the salt and light to the world? Do people see Jesus in your life?

In closing, I would like to share President Woodrow Wilson’s account with D.L. Moody, a revered evangelist of the early 20th century, one who’s presence would deeply influence the President for years to come.

President Wilson writes, “I was sitting in a barber chair when I suddenly became aware of a powerful presence entering the room. A man had come in quietly for the same purpose as I— to have his hair cut—and took the chair beside me. Every word he spoke, though not at all didactic, revealed a genuine interest in the barber attending to him. By the time my haircut was complete, I realized I had been part of an evangelistic service; Mr. D.L. Moody was sitting in that chair. I intentionally lingered after he left, captivated by the remarkable transformation his visit had brought to the barbershop. The patrons spoke in hushed tones, unaware of his name yet profoundly aware that something had lifted their spirits. I felt as though I was departing from a sacred space.”

As you go about your day, I encourage you to embody the salt and light for your family, friends, and community. Just like D.L. Moody, and even more so, strive to imitate Jesus Christ, whose very presence changed the hearts of the most wayward souls. May God bless each of you abundantly!

*Dedicated to the Women of Hmong Baptist Church. Thank you for being a blessing to my life.

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Bao Vang is a wife and mom of two amazing daughters. When Bao's not serving her local church, she likes to write and spend time with her family. Bao received her MA in Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently working on a PhD in Bible Exposition at John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. Bao is also a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature. You can find her research at https://liberty.academia.edu/baobvang.