(image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/digitalart)

This morning I read in the Gospel of Mark of a time when Jesus was giving a lecture in his hometown. He made a real hit with the people to the point that they were saying …

“We had no idea he was this good!”

“How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?”

(as told in The Message, Mark 6)

But here is what got me ….

“But in the next breath they were cutting him down.”

In their next breath, they began to criticize and tear him down. This same Jesus, Who just minutes before they were praising, they have now turned on and are cutting him down …

• “He’s just a carpenter – Mary’s boy.”
• “We’ve known him since he was a kid.”
• “We know his brothers….”.
• “Who does he think he is?”

I have gone back and looked at this a few times today. In The Message, it is the fickleness of these people which seems to stand out, is more pronounced. The people possessed the ability to change on a dime. They were not loyal or constant or stable in their affections. Their opinions were unpredictable as were their relationship to Jesus.

I sat thinking about these people. How could they be do this; this turning on Him? Praising Him one minute and cursing Him the next?

In the quiet of my morning came the thought …. “That has been you at times.”

I have praised Him for the many things He has done in my life. I have thanked Him for the overwhelming blessings He has bestowed. I have worshiped Him with a heart so full of joy and gratitude it felt like it would burst.

And then came a phone call or an email or an emergency …..

• “How could you let this happen?”
• “Why – why didn’t You spare us?”
• “Where were You?”
• “You could have taken care of things…. or provided… or changed hearts.”

I have been that fickle person – praising and cursing. James warns us about this very thing….

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles,and fish, but no one cane tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my bothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:7-10, NLT)

I can’t speak for you but my desire is for a tongue which is committed, loyal, and praising. Consistently. Daily. Continually. Since we are told, “what we say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45), tending to our hearts is what we must do. This is serious business for our tongues can get us in such a mess.

May my next breath bring Him praise. And the one after that too.

Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thurs. and Tell His Story and Time Travel Thurs. and Thriving Thurs. and Thankful Thurs. and Thurs. Favorite Things and Thrive at Home and Cozy Reading Spot .