Embracing Our Purpose: Bringing Salt and Flavor to Our Communities
Last summer, I had the profound opportunity to join a mission trip to Little Abaco, Bahamas, with The Church by the Sea Love Little Abaco Mission team. That experience taught me the invaluable lesson of being present, as I shared in a previous blog post, Be where your feet are: A lesson learned in service. Our guiding scripture was about being exactly where our feet are, and it transformed how I view both personal and professional life, especially in the nonprofit sector.
This summer, I returned to Little Abaco as a chaperone for 17 high school students. It was an extraordinary experience enriched by our new guiding scripture, Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?” This scripture deeply resonated with me, especially when considering our purpose in the nonprofit sector.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?”
Being the Salt of the Earth
The concept of being the "salt of the earth" is powerful. Salt, in its essence, preserves, enhances and brings flavor. But if it loses its flavor, it loses its purpose. This metaphor beautifully encapsulates our role in the nonprofit sector. Our work is about preserving the dignity of those we serve, enhancing their lives, and bringing hope and joy into spaces that may have lost them.
During the mission trip, we witnessed firsthand the impact of being salt in the community. Full of energy and compassion, the youth missionaries brought a renewed sense of hope to Little Abaco. We engaged in various activities, from community outreach to repairing senior homes, always mindful of our purpose to restore and uplift.
This mission trip reinforced the importance of our work at Cloud 9, supporting the broader nonprofit community. Like salt, our efforts in the nonprofit sector are crucial in adding value and flavor to the lives of those we serve. However, we must be vigilant not to lose our flavor—our passion, dedication and sense of purpose.
Here are a few thoughts on how we can ensure we remain the salt of the Earth in our work:
Stay True to Our Mission
It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and challenges, but we must always remember why we started. Our mission is our flavor. It's what makes our work meaningful and impactful.
Embrace Challenges as Opportunities
Just as salt can transform a meal, our work can transform lives. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to bring positive change and enhancement to the communities we serve.
Maintain Passion and Dedication
Passion is contagious. The high school students on the mission trip brought an infectious energy that revitalized everyone around them. Similarly, our passion and dedication can inspire others and amplify our impact.
Celebrate Small Wins
Every act of service, no matter how small, adds flavor to the world. Celebrate these small wins and recognize their significance in the bigger picture.
Engage with the Community
Our flavor comes from our connection with the community. Engage actively, listen to their needs, and work collaboratively to create meaningful and lasting impact.
As we continue our work in the nonprofit sector, let’s remember our purpose to be the salt of the Earth. Let’s bring our unique flavor to every project, every interaction, and every community we touch. Together, we can preserve hope, enhance lives, and bring joy to those who need it most.
Jessica’s view from Hotel DeValley on Little Abaco in The Bahamas (July 2024).