Growing Through Critics

"what if criticism is our Lord in disguise?... It might be God using a critic to get you to be sharper or less dependent on the opinion of men and more dependent on him."
This has been a crazy month in my little world. Earlier this month, our family of churches went public with some hard sin issues that came out from our leader *you can read what I've learned through that here*. But this week, Campus Crusade for Christ, the organization we work for (and adore) is receiving harsh and untrue judgements because we changed our name to Cru.

God lead me to a post on "The Resurgence" blog about critics and what we can learn through them. I'm seeing as I process and pray that God wants me to live a life that pleases Him and brings glory to His name. People will judge and criticize. I've missed a truth there: this is a great opportunity for me to weigh my heart and ask if I've valued the opinion of man over God.
 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”-Proverbs 29:25
I imagine the attacks hurt many who prayed and labored over this name change. I'm praying God will lavish them with His peace and comfort. I'm praying I will learn in this that God weighs the heart and He gives ultimate judgement and vindication. I'm praying that Christ's name will continue to be proclaimed and many will turn to Him and live, just as it has been for the last 60 years. May I live my life to the praise and glory of His name alone. 
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”- Jeremiah 17:7-8

Comments

Virginia Knowles said…
For what it's worth, I personally like the name Cru! I don't think the mission has changed at all!
July 22, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Virginia Knowles said…
PS - another good read on criticism: http://rachelheldevans.com/thick-skin
July 22, 2011 at 10:08 PM
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