God's Coaching #77

God's Coaching #77

Ahoy, matey! Batten down the hatches, and shiver me timbers. It’s time to sail the high seas! Every three years at this time, dozens of professional sailors are smack-dab in the middle of the world’s most famous around-the-world sailing challenge—the Volvo Ocean Race. The 2008–2009 race, which started from Alicante, Spain, covered nearly 39,000 nautical miles. With 11 crew members, each boat sailed for up to three weeks at a time between various ports in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, North America, and more before reaching St. Petersburg, Russia. Although the Netherlands has won this race more than any other country, Sweden’s Ericsson 4 took top honors in the 2008–2009 race.

With the wind and waves often against them, how do the ships reach all these locations safely? The competence of the crews is vitally important. So are the sails and other important riggings. But most importantly, the rudder steers the ship. The rudder may be a small piece of equipment, but without it, crews can’t properly navigate a ship.

What’s the Score?

Interestingly, in his self-named New Testament book, the apostle James compared our tongues to a large ship’s rudder. That comparison might sound funny at first, but it is an appropriate metaphor. Our speech can have a huge effect on the direction of our life. James doesn’t stop with the rudder analogy, though. In James 3, he compares the tongue to a spark that can ignite a forest fire. He also calls it “evil,” “full of deadly poison,” and “a whole world of wickedness.” Make no mistake: our speech can be terribly dangerous.

We must watch our words very closely, always making sure that they are filled with kindness and love. Our words have the power to build up or to tear down others. They can bring us good or get us into serious trouble. The greatest model of loving speech is Jesus, who spoke kind, gracious words even as he was being crucified for our sins. If anyone had a reason to speak harsh, unkind words, it was Jesus. Yet he chose to point his mouth’s rudder in the right direction. We should do the same!

On the Ball

Try to say one encouraging thing to a sibling, a friend, or a classmate today. Tomorrow, keep your mouth on course to say two nice things.

Coach’s Comment

A small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. James 3:4-5