Ignore the Critics; Do the Work
Critics seem to be the flavor of the day. Anybody with little skill and little sense can be a critic and be good at it too. We don’t have to look too far or too long to find fault.
Servants don’t serve because they want recognition. They serve because there is something they must do, build, create, transform, and change. They serve because it’s who they are and what they’re meant to do. However, with service comes scrutiny, praise, critics, and attacks. A servant could find a cure for cancer, and they would still find people that would criticize them for it. There was even once a servant who transformed the world by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and loving the unlovable, and yet He was killed for it.
If you are a servant, don’t be surprised if you are attacked. In fact, expect to be attacked. Godly service doesn’t mean you won’t be criticized. It means you have the grit and belief to overcome it. Godly servants don’t lead in a tranquil sea of positivity, but through the storms of adversity and negativity.
Being a servant is knowing that the critics will criticize you while still saying what needs to be said and doing what needs to be done. History doesn’t remember the critics. It remembers the one who withstood criticism to accomplish something great.
Especially today in our hypersensitive modern social-media–driven world, a servant will have more fans and critics than ever. The keys are don’t let praise go to your head and don’t let critics get into your head. Be so invested in your craft that you don’t have time to listen to the naysayers. No time for negativity. Remember, as godly servants you are serving the Lord, not the critics. You’re too busy helping others secure their future with the Lord. Personally, if I would have listened to the naysayers and critics, I would have stopped preaching a long time ago. I am constantly reminded I work for the Lord, not brethren. I work with brethren but not for them. Working for the Lord is a higher calling.
I want to encourage you to never let the opinion of others define you and your future. Your identity doesn’t come from what the world says about you. It comes from God--from when He created you. Your work, service, and mission are too important to allow others to define your destiny.
No matter what anyone says, just show up and do the Lord’s work.
If people praise you, show up and do the Lord’s work.
If people criticize you, show up and do the Lord’s work.
If no one even notices you, show up and do the Lord’s work.
Just keep showing up, doing the Lord’s work, and serving to help others be like Him.
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