#10 Criticism

There was a time in my life when I was Daniel King, "America's Accountability Partner."  I was arrogant and thought I was intelligent merely by the fact that I saw injustices and flaws in the culture I was raised in.  But it doesn't take a really good thinker to recognize our culture's shortcomings.  Seriously, there are things that are wrong in every single circle of life, especially Christian circles.  The "cultural Christianity" of this country has really done more damage than it has exposure of the gospel.

Before I get too far into this, I must make one crucial statement: criticism is necessary for growth and for change.  I am an especially critical person, particularly of the church and its failures and realities.  However, we must be willing to give and take criticism as Christians in a flawed church.  But we must do it in a way that reveals the nature our true Church... that is where I get derailed.  I continually see this pattern in my own life and in the people around me: criticism...  bitterness...  division...  What a deadly cycle!

There is an old saying which can be useful for me when my spirit becomes critical: "You got a better idea?"  I think we could all employ this saying more often.   You see, if you're going to judge or criticize, you need to have a better idea-- in this case a more biblical or more gospel-centered or more Jesus-oriented idea, however you want to say it.  So let's keep this in mind when we are in Christian circles (churches or other groups), and we get critical.  Criticism is necessary and good, but it can be used to divide and isolate people.

We really ought to take everything in life with a tub of humility... a great big tub.  Great churches, programs, music, and sermons-- all that stuff is really great.  But humble people are better.  Humble people spread the gospel.  Humble people demonstrate God's love.  Humble people make disciples of all nations.  Great ministry is truly inseparable from humility.  So here's step one to harnessing the critic inside you.  And this is where I end because I am definitely not there yet... 

Peace and love and girl scout cookie season!

~dk~

Inspired by Matthew 20:26