SENSES OF THE SEA No.2
The water quality of the sea at Felixstowe has been exceptional this year. I know that the resort has been awarded a Blue Flag, but I can verify from my own experience that on some days the water has been so clear that I have been able to see to my toes even in deep water! Of course, you can always see your toes when swimming in a pool, but how can you compare the taste of chlorine with the taste of the sea! I would go for the taste of salt water every time.
There are not many creatures who are able to exist in both fresh and salt water, just a few fish and amphibians, and it is true that it would not do a human being good to drink too much sea water, but just as we need water for life, so do we need salt. Salt not only flavours the food we eat, but we need a prescribed amount of salt in our bodies in order to keep healthy and well.
Jesus himself said, that we are the salt of the earth, and that we are to continue being so, because once salt loses it’s saltiness, it is useless. (Matthew 5:13 )
We would know instantly whether we were drinking fresh water or salt water, but can the world taste our saltiness? Do we take the flavour of Jesus with us wherever we go, amongst our family and friends, in our workplace and the wider community? Do we speak out for the salt tears shed by those oppressed by poverty, hunger and cruelty, but have no voice of their own?
For our very tears are salt water. Salty tears can bring relief in grief and pain.
Tears of salt, cried by a friend, can bring comfort to those who are sad and in despair, as tears merge and are shared.
I am reminded of a poem by Cecily Taylor, ‘Tears’.
Thank God for tears,
The tears that flow unchecked,
That run in rivulets down to the sea of God;
That have to merge eventually
With something larger than the self. The salt sea is huge, but God’s love, power and compassion is greater