Sermon On The Salt Path

Victoria Erickson, an American writer, poet and creative writing coach once remarked: “Don’t dismiss the elements. Water soothes and heals. Air refreshes and revives. Earth grounds and holds. Fire is a burning reminder of our own will and creative power. Swallow their spells. There’s a certain sweet comfort in knowing that you belong to them all.” Job 33:4 reminds us: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

“The Salt Path,” is a critically acclaimed true memoir and travel book written by a female author known by her pseudonym of Raynor Winn and subsequently released as a film in 2025. Her actual name is Sally Walker. The book can be expounded as a relationship to a specifically defined trail in the area and the faculties of life, particularly through its themes of resilience, nature, and transformation. The location and primary narrative of the book features the couple walking the arduous South West Coast Path after losing their home and facing a terminal diagnosis for one of them. It resonates with the notion of finding meaning and purpose amidst the treachery of life's disappointments and quandaries. The South West Coast Path is perhaps the UK’s ultimate challenge for the long-distance hiker - a 630-mile trail around the coastline of England’s south west peninsula. There’s more than 115,000 ft of ascent and descent on the South West Coast Path. Completing it is considered equivalent to climbing Snowdon 48 times, Ben Nevis 26 times and Everest 4 times.

Life is full of individual “ups and downs.” It could readily equate to riding a huge scenic roller coaster within a specific existence. Life's vicissitudes relate to the natural fluctuations in experiences, emotions, and circumstances that everyone encounters. These can range from positive moments of joy, excitement and success (ups) to challenging periods of difficulty and disappointment (downs). They are as common as dawn and dusk and an inevitable part of the human trail. They include periods of happiness, pleasure, sorrow and pain. The word "salt" in the title of the book is said to reflect both the saltiness of the sea and the couple's tears, mirroring their emotional and physical journey. The book explores themes of adaptability, homelessness, and finding solace amongst the remedial beauty of nature. Salt can contain beneficial, but diverse paths. Salt is frequently used as a condiment that adds flavor to food, it reduces bitterness and balances tastes. It also plays a crucial role in food preservation by inhibiting microbial growth and extending shelf life. Beyond flavor and preservation, salt contributes to the texture and appearance of various food products. Numbers 18:19 reminds us: All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the Lord I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your offspring with you.”

Salt, a naturally occurring chemical compound, can be considered as one of the condiments of strength. It plays a crucial role in muscle function and overall performance, which can indirectly aid its power. Sodium is essential for muscle contractions, nerve impulses, and maintaining fluid balance, all of which are vital for physical exertion and strength-related activities. Samson, a notable figure in the Old Testament, was known for his extraordinary strength, which he derived from his long, uncut hair as a Nazirite dedicated to God.

The story of Samson, found in the Book of Judges, centers on a man blessed with extraordinary strength by God, who is tasked with delivering the Israelites from Philistine oppression. Samson, a Nazirite from birth (meaning he was dedicated to God and forbidden from cutting his hair or consuming alcohol), uses his strength to fight the Philistines. However, his story is also one of personal failings, including a weakness for Philistine women and ultimately, betrayal by Delilah, who discovers the secret to his strength. Samson's hair, which symbolized his Nazarite vow and strength, is cut, leading to his capture and blinding by the Philistines.

In his final act, Samson, having regained his strength, brings down the temple of Dagon, killing himself and thousands of Philistines. The story of Samson explores similar themes of strength, unexpected journeys, and betrayal, which may be considered commensurate with the highlights in “The Salt Path.” It also accentuates the cyclical nature of Israel's struggles with their enemies and their relationship with God. Judges 13:1-5 reminds us: “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”