People-watching far exceeds bird-watching as a source of fascination. Don’t get me wrong. Bird-watching is great fun; it’s just that it is far exceeded by the fun of people-watching. My favorite sighting for the day was at Taco Bell. There was this old guy (That means he is older than I.) with diamonds studs in his ear lobes. He was well groomed with a nicely trimmed beard. But it was those studs that grabbed my attention. They just didn’t belong. They seemed so out of place. I was instantly reminded of Proverbs 11:22, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”
There are some things that just do not go together. James 3:9-12 puts it this way. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
There are certain behaviors, words and attitudes that just do not belong in a real Christian’s walk. But by the same token some of us are so lacking in a sense of humor we think everyone should always be solemn and straitlaced. When I look at some Christians I definitely don’t want to be like them. But I think we all can agree that there is no room for judgmental, derogatory speech and downright nastiness in our lives. We must not use honesty as weapon to cut into other’s hearts.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 13, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org