Christianity Is a Complex Blessing

Today’s reading: Ecclesiastes 7:15-20

A couple of weeks ago, I declared in my daily devotional (on my birthday, April 10, in fact) that cursing is a sin, and I vowed to give up the vile habit.

A couple of nights ago, though, I hit a few too many tennis balls into the net during a mildly raucous match with some  buddies. And the cussin’ came  back way too easily.

The other guys were doing it. Why shouldn’t I?  I even made a joke or two about the male anatomy. (That’s certainly not hard to do when every point in a tennis match begins with the server making sure he has two balls.)

But shortly after the match — before I had time to reflect properly on my downfall —  one of my buddies and I fell into a surprising conversation about cussing.

“People are always asking if I’m a preacher,” my friend said out of the blue. “I don’t understand that.”

This intrigued me. I’ve not known this man long, but I, too, have envisioned him in a pulpit.

“Well, actually, you do sort of carry yourself like a preacher. I can see how people might think that,” I replied.

He just grimaced.

“But I sure don’t talk like a preacher. Don’t you hear that?”

“Yeah, but I’ve known a lot of preachers who cuss. I’ve even heard one or two do it on Sunday.”

“Oh yeah,” he said. “Believe me. I’ve cussed at church too.  One time I was even up on stage about ready to say something on the microphone. I can’t believe I got away with that!”

Several of us laughed at that, and the conversation drifted to other things, so I didn’t bother telling of all the times I’ve cussed at church too. (Me! A guy who writes these devotionals every day and is a leader in my congregation!)

I  think I still stick — mostly — to what I said two weeks ago about cursing.  Since every curse word can be replaced by dozens of other English words that will not cause discomfort to the pious, cursing is — mostly — just a matter of laziness. My not being willing to expend a few seconds of mental energy to think of a suitable replacement word is — mostly — a selfish, sinful act.

Mostly, I say. Today’s reading muddles the issue. (I now see why Ecclesiastes is such a troubling book that I don’t often hear quoted in sermons.)

“Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself?” (Verse 16)

I do actually think my friend would be a good preacher. He certainly does have the look, and his charismatic personality would make him a great leader of any congregation.  And, if others are saying the same thing to him, then it just may be that he is missing his calling. I don’t suffer from a delusion that our 2 minute conversation will lead him directly to a career change,  but I do know that it helped encourage his many Godly traits. And those are a grand blessing to the world.

I also know that my willingness to let loose with a little good humored cursing on the tennis court  has probably helped ease some awkwardness between me and some of the other guys I play with. See, several of my tennis buddies are my “friends” on facebook, so I know they get the notices I put out each day about these devotionals. Yes, as with many of my other friends, we have never spoken about these articles. Broaching the topic of Jesus is just weird these days. I think most people would rather avoid it. (To be honest, I usually would. I rarely feel comfortable beginning a conversation about God — even when I am among friends from church.)  Yes, that’s regrettable. Yes, it’s a sign of the Devil’s deathly grip on the world. But it’s the truth, nevertheless.

If cursing is a means for breaking this devilish ice, then maybe it’s not such a sin after all.

Thanks be to God for this wonderfully complex and blessed puzzle of Christianity. May I never stop trying to figure it out.