I like it when the scriptures are not fluffy. When the Word of God is clear and pointed. It keeps me from rationalizing myself right into the pit of complacency.  In the 17 verses of James chapter 3, I can clearly see the “no fluff zone.”

James talks of words and wisdom. I don’t hear condemnation, only a clear reminder that words and where I get my wisdom matter.

Living in the suburbs, there are some experiences which help me put the agricultural terms in perspective:

The movie Black Beauty comes to mind when I read, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.” What are the “bits” of influence that turn my tongue to healing or to harm?

I remember the movie Titanic when I read, “Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot wants to go.”  Lord, please remove that “bit of cynicism” that lets me think I have permission to live jaded and entitled.

Verse 5 reads, “…Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark” The May of my junior year in high school, our South Louisiana home burned to the ground. Thanks to a spark from a W.T. Grant TV located in my parent’s bedroom, we lost everything…except our Corelleware dishes and our bibles. The only memory of my childhood that I can hold in my hand is a black, zippered, KJV bible.  Praise you, God, for a lifetime of bringing beauty from ashes in this Jesus Girl’s life.