From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Oprah Winfrey is credited with saying the following: “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”
That sounds fantastic when you first hear it but upon closer scrutiny, it is full of flaws.
There is no room for character growth in Oprah’s utopia.
Let me ask you a few questions.
How can you learn patience if you are only surrounded by people who are kind and considerate and never get under your skin?
How can you learn sacrificial love if you are only surrounded by generous people who give to you everything you need and you never suffer lack?
How can you learn tolerance if you only watch one brand of news or have coffee with those who hold the same opinion as you?
Do you see what I’m saying?
Guess what has helped me preach better over the years?
It’s listening to criticisms and complaints and considering how I could learn from them.
I’m not going to lie to you, a lot of the time I was left choking on those great big slices of humble pie.
However, I remember something I once heard from author and pastor Gordon McDonald who said, “There’s a grain of truth in every criticism.”
Yes, the encouraging comments and words of affirmation are important, and we can’t do without a certain amount of them if we are to stay motivated, but dessert is only truly appreciated if you’ve had your vegetables first.
A few months ago I came to my office to find my voicemail filled with several vitriolic messages, laced with profanity and criticism, from a man I have spent countless hours helping over the years.
He had hit a low point the night before and decided to vent.
I listened to each of those messages, then erased them, and went to pray.
Afterward I called him and listened to what he had to say and our relationship was restored.
No, Oprah, I need more than those who can lift me up.
I need “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
I can’t grow if I’m never tested.
