If you don’t have anything nice to say…

Scripture: Matt. 5-7

Matthew 7: 1-5
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Observations: This statement is the practical application of the grace-filled life that Jesus makes possible for us. It is also the most important passage for the survival of the connectional system, and perhaps for Christianity in general.

Application: The task of encouraging people to leave off fault-finding is daunting, particularly when, 1) society has an entire corps of news gatherers who are devoted to the gossip pages, 2) gossip and criticism have been a part of the Church’s DNA for decades, and 3) I have a penchant for identifying systemic brokenness.

I talked with a friend yesterday about the position in which I find myself–between two factions. I have friends who want the Conference to spend less money. I have friends who want the Conference to do and be more. I have friends who are part of the Greatest Generation and friends who are part of Generation Y–and they don’t see the same Church when they look.

Now, before you think I am holding myself up as an example, think again. For every moment I’ve tried to bridge the gap, I’ve found myself questioning both sides and pointing out their failures and faults.

I don’t like it when members of congregations I’m serving point out fault with each other or with me. I also find it reprehensible when pastors do the very same thing to each other and to our District Superintendents and Bishops.

And yet, I’m in the forefront. I’m doing just as much fault-finding and criticizing as some–and more than others. The only application is to find something good to say and say it.

Prayer: God, help me to hold my tongue and shut my mouth when the temptation to pontificate about colleagues comes upon me. Amen.