Text: James 3:1-5b
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they arfe so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of Great exploits.
The rudder, the bit for a horse can make great things happen - though they are very small instruments in the task they perform. In our daily lives, we can be people of hopefulness and joy. Unfortunately, though we have such potential given to us, we can with the mere "slip of the tongue" let loose of such potential for life. Therefore, if we are not "perfect" in our speech, it is best that we watch ourselves for with our tongues we stir up life...and that may not always be as creative and peaceful as we would hope. In many ways, we are all teachers. As parents, colleagues, members of a congregation, friends, we are gifts to one another and what we do and what we say often becomes a teaching moment. How important it is that we take a good look at the life to which we give a witness in our speaking. Wow. Just think about a blessing and a word of love. Those words - the use of our tongue to bring that message to another - can be life giving and empower those around us to trust our God. They can literally steer people onto the way of a blessed journey in their day. Then again - and we will see this more tomorrow - we can speak words that destroy and belittle life. What a powerful vehicle for good and bad.
Connection: Is it worth saying? Will it help reform and change and bring life? OR....will it simply cut down, betray, continue untruth, and break relationships? What will be the witness we present in our speaking as this day moves us closer to the end of day? How we speak in this day and what we say becomes a part of the vision of a peaceable Reign of God or part of another vision that may not bring peace at all. How will you speak!?
Precious Lord, you call forth from us the sounds and lives of your blessed Reign. May the sounds of our lips lift up the life that you so gracefully place in our hearts. Let you word be our word and by that call for joy within our world. Amen.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they arfe so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of Great exploits.
The rudder, the bit for a horse can make great things happen - though they are very small instruments in the task they perform. In our daily lives, we can be people of hopefulness and joy. Unfortunately, though we have such potential given to us, we can with the mere "slip of the tongue" let loose of such potential for life. Therefore, if we are not "perfect" in our speech, it is best that we watch ourselves for with our tongues we stir up life...and that may not always be as creative and peaceful as we would hope. In many ways, we are all teachers. As parents, colleagues, members of a congregation, friends, we are gifts to one another and what we do and what we say often becomes a teaching moment. How important it is that we take a good look at the life to which we give a witness in our speaking. Wow. Just think about a blessing and a word of love. Those words - the use of our tongue to bring that message to another - can be life giving and empower those around us to trust our God. They can literally steer people onto the way of a blessed journey in their day. Then again - and we will see this more tomorrow - we can speak words that destroy and belittle life. What a powerful vehicle for good and bad.
Connection: Is it worth saying? Will it help reform and change and bring life? OR....will it simply cut down, betray, continue untruth, and break relationships? What will be the witness we present in our speaking as this day moves us closer to the end of day? How we speak in this day and what we say becomes a part of the vision of a peaceable Reign of God or part of another vision that may not bring peace at all. How will you speak!?
Precious Lord, you call forth from us the sounds and lives of your blessed Reign. May the sounds of our lips lift up the life that you so gracefully place in our hearts. Let you word be our word and by that call for joy within our world. Amen.
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