“Aaron and Miriam!” he (God) called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say: … Of all my house, he (Moses) is the one I trust. … He sees the Lord as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?”
— Numbers 12
As part of a soccer family for many years, I’ve seen youth sports bring out the worst in parents, including me.
There is some sort of validation found in us parents whose children perform well.
Likewise, there is some sort of diminishing of significance if one’s child doesn’t.
This warped reality can lead to the most vicious and visceral criticizing imaginable.
Coaches are maligned. Referees are met with screamed vitriol.
Children fear the ride home from the game where they are berated for failure. They are taught to criticize teammates, coaches and referees with disdain.
Whatever happened to fun?
Moses’ brother and sister got stuck on the criticism crazy train. They didn’t think much of the fact that their brother was the one calling the shots.
Envy took root in their hearts. Instead of supporting him, they lay in wait for an opportunity to tear him down.
When he chose to marry a foreign woman, they attacked.
Undoubtedly, they had been whispering behind his back for a while.
As it turns out, their marriage criticism was just a smokescreen for their real intent — the desire to be first. God made very clear they had crossed a line they had better never cross again.
Why are we all so quick to criticize? We take aim at each other mercilessly. We dish it out but can’t take it.
We rationalize it by placing the word “constructive” in front of it.
Truth is, we’re all easy targets.
Until love is our motivation, until the other person’s best life is our passion, until we are committed to humbly and sacrificially serve them, it’s best to be very slow to speak.
For any of us reeling from hurtful criticism, know you are priceless in the eyes God.
For any of us who are quick to take aim at others, please take a deep breath, step back and invite Jesus to help you speak life into the hearts of others.
Strong and courageous
This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
— Joshua 1:1-11
Chants of “You can do it!” followed by “Jump! Jump! Jump!” finally emboldened the timid young man to step off the rock wall into the river below.
To this day, I can still hear the shouts and the splash.
Popping up out of the water, his expression was unforgettable. Eyes wide. Grinning ear to ear. Arm raised.
He was victorious!
He had faced down a fear and won.
Everyone felt the collapse of the unseen wall that had made his life small. This was a triumph that proved to be a watershed moment in his life.
I can only imagine the adrenaline release in Joshua when the Lord looked him in the eye and said, “The time has come for you to lead these people.”
It’s one thing to be groomed for a task, but it’s a completely different thing to enter into it.
God knew that. He knew where Joshua’s head and heart were so he spoke to it.
Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.
He commanded him three times to be strong and courageous.
Given the magnitude of his responsibility, where was he supposed to turn to find this strength and courage?
God’s amazing answer?
“I will be with you.”
When we see, hear about or even read about strength and courage there’s a part of us that comes alive.
Why is that?
Deep down, all of us want to be brave. We want to be courageous in the face of trial.
Fear is such an intimidating adversary.
The unknown is scary. It’s, well, unknown.
It’s so important to remember nothing is unknown to God.
Seen, unseen, yesterday, today, tomorrow are all clear in his vision.
He’s already there in our last day. He’s in every other day as well.
Wherever, whenever, he’s there. Never alone. Never abandoned.
We can embrace this day with strength and with courage.
Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.