Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone—Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Last week, when my daughter suffered a severe head cold, she temporarily lost her sense of smell. She said it made cooking difficult because she was unable to discern one seasoning from another. Chili powder and other heady spices were odorless to her, causing her to believe they’d be flavorless and of no use.

Matthew 5:13–14 says we’re the salt and light in the world. I take this to mean we are always to do good and be a positive influence in the world by being morally upright and sharing the message of Jesus. This seems a daunting responsibility. I can recognize “salt and light,” which is spiritual maturity, in others around me. But in myself? Not always so much.

During a recent searching conversation with my friend Brooke about spiritual maturity, she volunteered a simple, but astute, observation. She pointed out that one often has to go through a lot of challenges to become a well-seasoned, spiritually mature individual. Just like my daughter’s inability to perceive the fragrant aroma of spices didn’t mean they were flavorless or unusable, I, too, am sometimes unable to see how Jesus intends for challenges He allows in my life to flavor my development as a believer and make me more mature.

Even though I may not always recognize my own spiritual salt and light, I trust my Heavenly Chef Jesus with the seasoning necessary to bring out the best in me.