2011 - 07 Critical Questions

Critical Questions

Did you hear about the two taxidermists who stopped to look at an owl which was on display in a window?  Immediately the criticism started.  Its eyes weren’t natural; its wings weren’t in proportion to its head; its feathers weren’t properly arranged.  Just as they started to walk away - the owl turned its head and winked at them!

Before you pass judgement, ask yourself these questions:

• Have I waited long enough to get all the facts?
• What do I notknow yet?
• Am I relying strictly on what I’ve heard?
• Am I eager to believe the best, or think the worst?
• If mistakes have been made, do I feel that gives me the upper hand?
• If so, what am I going to do about it?
• What would Jesus do?
• Will my actions add to the problem or to the solution?
• If the situation was reversed, and I was on the other end, what would I need?
• Am I magnifying something which in a month or two will make little or no difference, but could hurt my future relationship with this person?

Listen carefully to this: 

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticise their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment.  Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang.  Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier.”  (Luke 6:37, The Message)

[adapted from http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today]