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1998-02-19 - Ripples
Originally Published 1997-07-03
James 3:4-6 Behold, the ships also, though they are so
great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small
rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue
is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how
great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a
fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as
that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life,
and is set on fire by hell. (NAS)
As a boy, I can recall a few occasions where I came upon a perfectly
still pond or lake. The scene mirrored perfectly in the surface would just
about draw me into it. In a scrambling moment, I had to find a
rock or something to skip or toss into the middle of the water. It was almost
a compulsion. Splash! And suddenly the perfection of the reflection
would be shattered as the stone penetrated the image. And everyone who could
see it would know exactly where the rock had landed. Ripples would course
outward in an ever-growing set of concentric circles from the point of impact.
These ripples would warp the remaining image as they passed through it. It
would take minutes or an hour for the surface to return to the original quiet
state. As I grew up, I would sometimes feel a pang about having disturbed
the water, but there was no undoing it.
Likewise, in an unthinking or inconsiderate moment, we can say something
hurtful or unkind. It may be not be meant the way it came out, but it
is out. Or someone, especially a young Christian or someone who is seeking
Jesus, maybe dealt with in a strict way where it is unneeded, where
a moment of compassion or understanding would reach to them in a way
that would go beyond any correction. A word spoken in anger or ignorance
of the situation, or without grace and mercy, can be a spiritual knife
that causes grievous wounds.
When this happens, ripples appear on the surface again, either for good or
for ill. A life touched in either direction will ripple outward to the people
they know. "Do you know what a wonderful thing that church did
for us?" Or, "Did you hear what awful thing happened to ... ?" Call it gossip,
call it whatever you like. But the word will get around in either case.
We have all heard sad tales of the hypothetical young Christian man in his
late teens, ready for the mission field. They have a run-in with
a person in leadership and are turned off completely. How many lives
are affected there? One? What about the people he knows here and knew
of his plans. What about the people he may have touched on his mission
to wherever. What about others this person may speak to in such a way?
Far more than one life is affected, and the ripples go out from there to
others.
Ps 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and
our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, "The LORD
has done great things for them." (NAS)
Prov 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion
in it crushes the spirit. (NAS)
A tongue filled with laughter and praise is a reflection of a heart
filled to overflowing with the joy of the Lord. What a joy it is
just to be with someone whose heart is full. A soothing tongue,
a tongue that can say "I accept you where you are," or "I appreciate
your questions" without offense or bitterness, is a secure place someone
can go for help without fear of judgment, condemnation or censure. The ripples
that flow from this place reach far, and heal families and towns. And
once those people learn to live in that security, the ripples of the love
of Jesus start all over again.
Lord Jesus, Help us to guard that flaming tongue we all have. Some
of us have learned some already, and others are just starting. May we
be patient with each other as we grow into reflectors of Your joy and glory.
Send ripples of mercy and grace out from each heart that knows You, for in
those ripples are the force to shake the world for Your honor and glory once
again. Amen.
Peace,
Mike |
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