May 10, 2018 – The Point of No Return

Here is a thought for us to carry with us at all times.

First, let me say all of this is not my own thought. But it did remind me of what I’ve said to you in different words. Maybe seeing it stated in a different manner will bring the point a little clearer. This partially comes from the devotional, “Our Daily Bread”.

The Point of No Return

Sometimes in our challenges in life, we may go a little too far with our comments to each other – some times by accident and others, I’m sad to say, on purpose. It is those moments when we say things to each other which cause harm in some way or another.

The example used in the Our Daily Bread: when General Julius Caesar led his 13th Legion across the Rubicon River and into Italy, it was ruled and viewed as an act of treason. This generated years of civil war and an irreversible impact that he and the powers of Rome could not move back from. We all know what happen in the end.

This is where we get the phrase “crossing the Rubicon”. It is a metaphor for “passing the point of no return.” There are a lot of times we can cross a relational Rubicon with the words we say to others. Once spoken, words can’t be taken back. Just think about it for a moment. They can ether offer help and comfort or do damage that feels just as irreversible as Caesar’s march on Rome.

In the book of James, he gives us this about our words, “The tongue also is a fire, a word of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6) But hear this: Because of the Grace of God and the Redemptive powers of Christ, when we fear we have crossed a Rubicon with someone, we can seek their forgiveness. As we hear in this challenge from Paul “let your conversation be always full of grace” (Col 4:6), so that our words will not only honor our Lord, but lift up and encourage those around us.

So as I continue to try and encourage you, again hear this, “May you have a great day, but even more so let’s Make it a great day and bless someone along the way.”

Pastor Orr