THE CONTEXT OF CRITICISM
SCRIPTURE: "A time to be silent and a time to speak." (Ecclestastes
3:7)
MEDITATION: Creative judgment requires timing and relationship. We
dare not blurt out our judgments without a context of mutual acceptance, love,
and sensitive timing.
In every relationship there are those things which disturb us about others.
However happy a marriage, family, friendship, or business association may be,
eventually there will be some friction. That's natural. We are all
different and bring to every relationship all that we have been and are.
The deeper two people grow together, the more of their individuality is exposed.
The problems which arise between people may not indicate an inadequate
relationship but may indicate that love is being expressed enough for people to
take off their masks in self-disclosure. There must be some helpful way
for each person to say what he thinks and observes about the other so that both
may grow.
This is done through affirmation and timing. When we know that nothing can
break our relationship with a person, we are free to say what we think.
But at the right time! There are times when we are more open than others.
Often when we are exhausted or troubled about other things, we react to
criticism with the stream of those emotions and not with honest reaction to the
criticism. We need to be sensitive and patient to not be so urgent about
our own feelings that we must unload on a person who is already overloaded.
If we ask God to judge our judgment and guide our timing, our insights can open
a new stage of growth for another person.
(from "God's Best For My Life" by Lloyd John Ogilvie)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There is a right time for criticism in a creative
context.
