We left Denver yesterday, bound for Reno, and somewhere along the way, I decided to make a stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Hamza, my current student, has been doing a great job, and I thought he’d appreciate seeing something unique, something that breaks up the usual routine of highways and truck stops. The flats are something you have to see to believe—this vast, white, almost alien landscape that stretches out forever.
When we parked, the rest area was packed with tourists. People were everywhere, snapping photos, wandering around in awe of the surreal scene. I needed a moment to myself, so I tried to stride away from the crowds, to find my own path across the salt. The crunch of the salt beneath my feet and the emptiness of the horizon ahead gave me space to think, to reflect.
As I walked, surrounded by all this salt, I kept coming back to Christ’s words: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Mathew 5:13
There’s something powerful about being here, in a place where salt isn’t just a metaphor but a literal reality. Salt draws out the good flavors subtly hidden in food and preserves what would otherwise spoil, as do those who claim to be children of God. It made me think about what it means to be “salt” in this world, to stand out, to preserve what’s good, to bring out the best in others.
Hamza is a gifted student. He’s sharp, knows what he’s doing, and I’m confident he’ll make a great driver. But even with all his skill, there are always things to learn, and part of my role as a mentor is to help him grow, not just in his driving, but in how he handles the pressures and the long days on the road. Being a trucker isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about maintaining your focus, your discipline, and yes, even your faith, through all the challenges that come your way. How can I bring out the best in him?
As I walked on the salt flats, I was also thinking about a major blessing I recently received. It’s the kind of blessing that makes you stop, and reevaluate where you’re headed. It’s one that makes you want to align your life more closely with your faith and the future that’s unfolding before you. It’s both exciting and a little daunting, knowing that there’s a significant shift coming in my life, one that will demand more from me spiritually and personally.
There’s a kind of clarity that comes from being out here, in this stark, beautiful place. It’s a reminder of what it means to be set apart, to keep your faith strong even when it’s easier to let it slide. The salt flats don’t blend in; they stand out, pure and unchanging. That’s what we’re called to be as Christians. But let’s be honest—it’s not always easy. The road can be long, the challenges many, and there are days when patience runs thin.
Sometimes there’s an inner struggle between the trucker in me, who needs to keep everything running smoothly, and the subdeacon in me, who’s called to a higher standard of patience, kindness, and understanding. It’s not always easy to reconcile the two, especially when the pressures of the job push you toward reacting harshly. But Christ’s call to be the salt of the earth is a reminder that we’re meant to stand firm in our faith, to be a source of light and truth, even when it’s hard.
Being “the salt of the earth” suggests that as Christians, we’re called to have a preserving and purifying influence on the world, much like how salt was used in ancient times to preserve food and enhance its flavor. The idea is that just as salt has a distinct taste that adds flavor, Christians should stand out in the world through their actions, words, and character. We’re meant to bring out the goodness in the world, to be a positive influence, and to preserve the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. If we lose that distinctiveness—if we blend in with the world and lose our “flavor”—we fail in our mission and purpose as Christians.
Walking back to the truck, with the salt crunching beneath my shoes and the sun beginning to set, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I’m reminded that I’m not just here to teach Hamza how to be a good driver; I’m here to live out my faith in every aspect of my life, to stay “salty,” to bring out the best in those around me, and to keep my eyes on the path that lies ahead, no matter where it leads.
This journey, both on the road and in my faith, is about more than just covering miles. It’s about staying true to the calling that Christ has given me, to be a preserving force in the world, to stand out, and to live with purpose. The Bonneville Salt Flats are a powerful reminder of that, and as we get ready to hit the road again, I carry that reminder with me, ready to face whatever comes next.
Thanks for reading my friends, I hope you all have a great weekend.
– Orthodox Trucker
Orthodox Trucker 