Criticism: The Crown of Significance
Acts 11:1-3
"The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, 'You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.'"
Thoughts for Today:
Not long ago I took my daughter Amanda and two of her friends to the movies to see Spiderman 3. Early in the movie, MJ (who is Spiderman's girlfriend) had her singing debut on Broadway. We all thought it was terrific; however the critics ripped her to shreds. MJ was devastated by the criticism. Later that evening as we discussed the movie over dinner, Amanda asked me "What is a critic?" I explained that a critic is someone who expresses an opinion about something someone else did. Amanda didn't think critics were very nice people. I agreed that sometimes their words could be unkind. I asked her if she would ever not do something that was important to her (like MJ) because of what people might say. She gave me one of those classic six year old one-liners, "Jesus is bigger than any critic!" In the world of a six year old size matters, and in her mind (and mine) Jesus is "bigger" than anyone.
I wonder if Peter felt like MJ when he was criticized. Was he fully confident in what he did (eating with "uncircumcised men"), or was he more concerned with what everyone else would think? This is truly one of the most difficult aspects of Christian living, doing what is right in the Lord's eyes despite the conflict it might cause with those closest to you.
Questions to Ponder:
Does criticism motivate or devastate you? Does it take you to a higher level or does it make you quit? Who is "bigger" in your life -- Jesus or the critics? Nothing of significance has ever gone un-criticized and God has called us all to a life of meaning. When was the last time you were criticized? When was the last time you did something worthy of criticism? How is the Lord calling you to respond to the criticism you received? What is the Lord calling you to do now?
Acts 11:1-3
"The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, 'You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.'"
Thoughts for Today:
Not long ago I took my daughter Amanda and two of her friends to the movies to see Spiderman 3. Early in the movie, MJ (who is Spiderman's girlfriend) had her singing debut on Broadway. We all thought it was terrific; however the critics ripped her to shreds. MJ was devastated by the criticism. Later that evening as we discussed the movie over dinner, Amanda asked me "What is a critic?" I explained that a critic is someone who expresses an opinion about something someone else did. Amanda didn't think critics were very nice people. I agreed that sometimes their words could be unkind. I asked her if she would ever not do something that was important to her (like MJ) because of what people might say. She gave me one of those classic six year old one-liners, "Jesus is bigger than any critic!" In the world of a six year old size matters, and in her mind (and mine) Jesus is "bigger" than anyone.
I wonder if Peter felt like MJ when he was criticized. Was he fully confident in what he did (eating with "uncircumcised men"), or was he more concerned with what everyone else would think? This is truly one of the most difficult aspects of Christian living, doing what is right in the Lord's eyes despite the conflict it might cause with those closest to you.
Questions to Ponder:
Does criticism motivate or devastate you? Does it take you to a higher level or does it make you quit? Who is "bigger" in your life -- Jesus or the critics? Nothing of significance has ever gone un-criticized and God has called us all to a life of meaning. When was the last time you were criticized? When was the last time you did something worthy of criticism? How is the Lord calling you to respond to the criticism you received? What is the Lord calling you to do now?
Thought For Today March 3, 2018: Topic - Criticism: The Crown of Significance
Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight)
on
March 03, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight)
on
March 03, 2018
Rating:
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