The Power of Salt and Light in Leadership

In 2007, I deployed to Iraq in support of night flying operations in around Balad, Iraq. Our mission was important for operations throughout Iraq and how we worked as a team was most critical to the overall success of the unit and ongoing operations.

One of my Air Force subordinates, Staff Sergeant Hopkins was suffering major frustration in dealing with our Army counterparts and leadership. We were three Airmen working in support of the Army Special Forces unit there at Balad. When things got to be too much for him to handle, I pulled him aside and talked with him to find out what was at the root of his issue.

The conversation:

The issue stemmed from Sgt Hopkins’ frustration with people.  While I had the same experience (frustration) with people we did see it differently.  Our conversation was very interesting.  We were talking about the daily stupidity of situations people create by being unmotivated, not using common sense, being lazy, not following simple procedure, not maintaining the same standard for all, and much more. We were continually living and working with these people, so our conversation was full of frustrated statements. We agreed upon all of our conclusions accept one.  What could be done about the people?  I felt that as an individual I have or can have some influence on these people while my subordinate felt that all pursuits to change the people are futile.

The Vision:

While listening to Hopkins express his feelings and lack of hope in changing the overall problem at hand, I began to see a vision like never before (it was so real).  I literally, saw an entirely different background behind him as he was talking. Hardly believing my eyes, I saw people walking in streets that weren’t there, between buildings that weren’t there. They were working, walking, doing.  They were all struggling just to move from one place to the next.  They were all walking in high mud. Most of them were up to their knees in the mud. They were operating in the mud as if it wasn’t there.  They seemed to be accustomed to it even though strained by it.  It was natural, normal for them.  There seemed to be a few people that either knew where to walk or they simply didn’t sink in the mud as deep.  They walked much more at ease. Some didn’t struggle at all. Then I noticed that they had boots on.  The others were so deep in the mud that I couldn’t tell if they were wearing boots. I assumed they weren’t wearing the boots.

Instantly, I understood the meaning and received a word with the vision.

The understanding accompanying the vision:  

We are all drudging through knee deep mud, ALL OF US!  Can you see it? Everywhere we go we are all pushing through the mud of life. Everyone, including you is drudging through the mud daily. We are in the same situation.  

Questions we might ask:

What makes a difference?  Hard work,  avoidance,  prayer,  entertainment,  a sense of achievement,  personality,  drugs or alcohol,  attitude,  denial,  anger,  frustration?  

What can remove us from the mud (make it less deep)?  Should we be removed from the mud?  Do we deserve to be removed?  

How can we be different like those who don’t sink in the deep mud? How can we have peace?   

The Word Accompanying the vision:

As I talked with my Hopkins, I told him of the vision of the mud. And began to explain what it meant in my own words.  Then, two words came to me as I explained the meaning of the vision:  Salt and light.

I thought to myself, “didn’t Jesus say we are the salt and light?”  I even asked Hopkins, “is it salt and [light]?”  I was thinking it was salt and life but wasn’t sure at that time.  So I went on to express that we (Christians) are the salt of the world; without us there would be no flavor. Also, if we are the light, then we need to shine for all to see. That is our role in changing the people. I’m not sure if what I said actually made sense to my friend.  I wasn’t even sure what I said made sense to me at the time.  When I got back to my CHU (containerized housing unit), I searched my bible for the words: salt and light.  What I found surprised me.

What I found in the word:

Jesus Said in Matthew 5:

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

He said in Luke 9:

“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”

He said in Luke 14 :

“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Paul writes in his letter to the church in Colossae: 

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Paul writes in his letter to the church in Ephesus:

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Our role in changing people (be God’s representatives):

I hope that what has been said already is enough. The problem with people isn’t an easy one to fix. If we mirror what Jesus and Paul are saying, then we fulfill our part in addressing the problem with people. 

People will adjust to us if we are setting the example of Christ in our lives. They might not know why, but they will be attracted to our boldness and godly peace about us. It’s for God’s glory that we represent Him as Salt and Light.

Well, I’m not sure if Sgt Hopkins got this full revelation. I am sure though that he and I never had to talk about the frustrating people again after that. Praise God!