(“Thoughts I Want
To Leave Behind” is a collection of thoughts and impressions I want to leave
behind as I begin to make my final pastoral transition.)
#20 Avoid Early
Criticism
Make the choice to
not align with the first critical voices that demand your alignment with their
narrow interpretation of the facts. Many
times the first response to an issue is premature and uninformed. If you join in with this initial knee-jerk crowd
reaction you will allow the emotions of others to define you and your voice. Give
yourself the time needed to allow the Lord to speak to you before you choose to
speak for Him. Let God’s heart, not your emotions craft your response.
The word the Lord gives
you might actually go against the established religious party line. This will require another level of wisdom – the
wisdom of when to speak into the fervor of an excited crowd. Some have spoken too early and others have
spoken too late. The missed timing of a
word from God can diminish the impact of what He asked you to share. Having a
word from God is critical in order to wisely navigate through intense times of
cultural change, but just as critical as the word is the timing and delivery of
that word.
“Like
golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time.” (Proverbs 25:11 ISV)
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