Day 1 – Salt That’s Worth Something

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Salt had a purpose. It wasn’t just table seasoning. It was survival. In Jesus’ day, salt kept food from rotting. It was used in sacrifices. It was a symbol of a covenant. And yeah, it made things taste better. It made bland things pop. It made hard things last.

So when Jesus looks at His followers and says, “You are the salt of the earth,” He’s not handing out a compliment. He’s giving out a calling. He’s saying, “Because of who I am in you, you carry something into the world that pushes back decay, that holds things together, that brings life flavor and meaning and hope.” He’s not saying, “Try harder to make a difference.” He’s saying, “You already are different. Don’t forget it.”

But sometimes we forget that. Sometimes we trade our identity in Christ for acceptance from people who don’t even know who we really are. We compromise a little. We water it down. We blend in when we were meant to stand out. Not in some loud, obnoxious way, but in that steady, undeniable way that makes people stop and go, “There’s something different about you... And I kinda want it.”

Remember the Foundry’s rule: “You can be different, but you can’t be weird.” Jesus says you are different, so act like it!” Jesus isn’t interested in making your life more religious. He’s inviting you to live a life that matters. A life that people can actually taste, see, and be changed by.

Application:

Take a moment and look at where you spend the majority of your time—your job, your home, your school, your gym, your social media feed (yep, that counts). Ask yourself: “What’s the flavor I’m bringing here?”

Here’s the challenge: pick one place this week where you tend to blend in or go quiet when you could actually show up as salt. That doesn’t mean you walk in quoting Scripture and throwing holy water. It means you show up with truth, grace, kindness, and a steady heart that doesn’t sway with the room. Maybe that looks like speaking up when gossip starts. Maybe it’s offering to pray for a co-worker who’s struggling. Maybe it’s choosing forgiveness over holding a grudge. Maybe it’s just showing up differently than everyone expects you to.

Salt doesn’t have to shout. It just has to show up. So today: show up salty.

Prayer:

Jesus, remind me today that I don’t have to earn my worth. I already have it in You. Help me walk into my job, my home, and my friendships with purpose. Help me live a life that leaves behind the taste of grace and truth. I don’t want to be bland. I want to be bold. I want to be salty.

Day 2 – Light in the Dark Stuff

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Sometimes we get this idea in our heads that being “light” means having it all together. Like, if we’re not walking around quoting Bible verses in the perfect tone or posting inspirational content with flawless theology, then we must not be doing it right. But that’s not what Jesus meant. He never said, “Be impressive.” He said, “Let your light shine.”

Your light isn’t about being the smartest person in the room or never messing up. It’s about living in such a way that people notice something different about you, and want to know why. Not because your life is polished, but because your life is anchored. And deep down, they want that too.

Here’s the thing: We spend a lot of time hiding what God is doing in us because we think it’s not “ready yet.” We feel like our story isn’t finished, or our faith isn’t strong enough, or our past is too messy. But Jesus never said, “Shine once you’re perfect.” He said, “Shine because you’re connected to Me.”

You’re not supposed to be a spotlight, blinding everyone with your spiritual résumé. You’re a lamp. And your job is simple: stay plugged in to the source.

When your light comes from Jesus, you don’t have to perform. You just have to be available. And even in the middle of your mess, He can use you to light the way for someone else stumbling through the dark. So quit hiding your light. Someone needs it today.

Application:

Think about one area of your life where you’ve been hiding your light, not because you’re ashamed of Jesus, but maybe because you feel like you’re not good enough yet to represent Him. Maybe it’s at work, in your friend group, at the gym, or even at home. Now, here’s the challenge: show up differently this week.

You don’t need a spotlight. You just need to be a steady lamp. Text a friend who’s struggling and let them know you’re praying for them, even if that feels a little bold. Offer to help someone who doesn’t expect it with no strings attached. Share your story, not the Instagram highlight reel, but something honest about how God’s showing up in your life right now.

Light doesn’t need to be loud. It just needs to shine. So stay connected to Jesus, and trust that He’ll do something with it.

Prayer:

God, I want to be the kind of person who brings light into dark places, not with judgment, but with hope. Help me reflect You in my attitude, my actions, and even the way I speak. Let people see You through the way I live, even when I feel like I’m still figuring it all out.

Day 3 – Whole-Hearted, Not Well-Behaved

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Let’s get something straight: Jesus isn’t inviting you into a life of religious performance. He’s not stacking up more rules to stress you out. He’s not handing you a clipboard and saying, “Here’s your checklist. Don’t screw it up.”

No. What Jesus is after is righteousness. And not the kind that looks shiny on the outside but is hollow on the inside. Not Pharisee righteousness. They had the behavior part down. They knew the verses, kept the Sabbath, tithed their spices...seriously, who does that? But somewhere along the way, they lost the plot. They traded a relationship for performance. They obeyed God with their mouths while their hearts were a thousand miles away.

And honestly? A lot of us have done the same thing. We show up to church, put on the right face, post a Bible verse with a sunset background, maybe even serve on a team. Meanwhile, we’re running on empty. We’re angry, bitter, exhausted, hiding addictions or shame, or secretly wondering if God even sees us anymore. And Jesus, He just cuts through all of it and asks, “Is your heart actually Mine?”

He’s not asking for polish. He’s asking for presence. He’s not looking for perfect. He’s looking for whole. For undivided. For someone who says, “Jesus, I don’t have it all together, but I want to give You all of me anyway.” Because the truth is, you don’t have to perform for the God who already loves you completely.

Application:

Take 10 quiet minutes today. Just you, Jesus, and no distractions. No music, no phone, no background noise. Ask Him this simple but gutsy question: “Jesus, is there any part of my heart I’ve been holding back from You?”

Then listen.

It might be an old wound, a hidden sin, a relationship you’re avoiding, or just a fear you’ve never admitted out loud. Don’t try to fix it right away. Don’t shove it back down. Just hand it over. Even if your hands are shaking. Then write it down. And underneath it, write this truth: “Jesus wants my whole heart. Not my perfect one.”

And here’s the follow-through: tell someone. A trusted friend, small group leader, mentor, spouse, someone who follows Jesus and loves you enough to walk it with you. Because healing doesn’t come from hiding. And wholeness starts with honesty.

Prayer:

Father, I’m tired of trying to look like I’ve got it all together. I don’t. You see every part of me, so help me stop hiding. Create in me a clean heart, one that trusts You, loves like You, and lives from the inside out.

If you stuck with this for three days, let me just say, well done. That’s already more than most people do. Not because you’re better than them, but because this stuff is hard. It’s one thing to say, “I want to follow Jesus.” It’s another thing to actually sit down, open your heart, and let Him start peeling back the layers. That takes courage. That takes faith. That takes showing up when it would be way easier to stay surface-level.

But hear me on this: Jesus isn’t disappointed in your layers. He’s not shocked by what’s underneath. He’s not standing at a distance with His arms crossed, waiting for you to get your act together. That’s religion. That’s performance. That’s not Jesus.

Jesus is the kind of God who kneels down next to the mess and says, “Let’s deal with this together.” He sees it all: the pain, the pride, the fear, the hidden stuff, and instead of walking away, He draws closer. He knows that the core of who you are is something beautiful He made, and He’s committed to getting you back to that.

So yeah, peeling hurts sometimes. Growth isn’t always clean. But what’s on the other side is worth it: a heart that’s whole, a faith that’s alive, and a life that shines with something this world can’t explain.

So keep walking. Keep peeling. Keep showing up. Keep shining, because the God who called you salt and light meant it, and He’s not finished with you yet.