Critics

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually try to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat” (Theodore Roosevelt, quoted in Hand Me Another Brick, by Charles Swindoll, p. 79, sermonillustrations.com).

Don’t you suppose that Jesus got tired of the critics?  As he “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38) in his ministry, there were no shortage of negative individuals that criticized his efforts and did their best to discredit him.  “Who is this man who blasphemes?” (Luke 5:21).  “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5:31).  “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” (Luke 6:2).  “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39).  On and on it went.  

Being a critic is one of the easiest jobs in the world.  There is very little investment or effort involved.  In fact, the critic would rather much rather disparage or denigrate the investment and effort of others.  Don’t be that person!  Rather than criticizing the efforts of others, let’s get involved ourselves!  When we get involved, there is less time to focus on the flaws of others.

God loves you!

Mike