Criticism for Success

Recently I participated in a church service via the internet. By participated I mean that I worshipped with the congregation. I amened the preacher, who preached a fabulous message. The sermon encouraged me on my walk with God, Strengthened me to do the work God has called me to do. I was also blessed to see the congregations touched by God’s presence.

Even thought the service started at 7:30 and the preacher didn’t’ take the pulpit until 9:00, I hated to see the service end.

Past my bedtime, I closed that tab and was astonished to see a very negative comment about the same service on social media.

What? How could this be?

I’m relatively new in the Lord. I’ve been saved for ten years and I wondered if others judge me as harshly as this critic judged them. What do they say about my worship? My words? My books? My plays? I tossed and turned all night.

Then, I prayed. I prayed for the church insulted and its pastor. I prayed that he wouldn’t let judgmental people stop the work of the kingdom. I prayed for the so-called saint of God who felt it was their duty to judge. I prayed for myself as I’ve become worried about book reviews lately.

Prayer is a two part conversation. I was elated when God spoke and reminded me what his word says about judging others. “…the tree is known by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33

So, dear saints if you feel it is your Christian duty to critique every sermon preached or song sung tally up the souls that are won for God and base your judgment on these numbers. For you see, the church I referred to previously in this post has more new converts than any church I know. Over the years I’ve watched, not in judgment but in jubilation, as God has changed many from sinners to saints, from lovers of pleasure to lovers of God. They’ve become vessels for the King, working in outreach, affecting others with their genuine hunger for righteousness.

I hope when you judge me and my works you’ll take into consideration the sincerity in which they were written and the countless tears shed as I searched after God’s will, not man’s.

The world measures success in numbers. Numbers of books sold, numbers of digits in your bank balance, numbers of square feet in your home.

I choose to measure my success by the number of souls I’ve led to the feet of Jesus.