Can you be critical of something and be a big supporter of it?
Sometimes I get the impression that to support something is to only allow at most some mild criticism, but anything more than that and it is seen as no longer being a supporter of something. If there is a tendency to be critical, even in a consistently mild form, there is also a concern that you have stopped supporting something and you are now just a critic.
It is something worth reflecting on when we consider things like family or church and those in positions of responsibility. There have been those who are quite clearly very sensitive about criticism being targeted at them. That then can cultivate the sort of following that struggles with the concept of what it is to be truly constructive. The best way some things are built is through at times rigorous and thorough-going heavy comments highlighting the flaws, failings and fouls of the individual. If we are too sensitive to allow that, how are we ever growing fully?
There are environments I am aware of where questioning and criticism is seen as undermining authority and posing a threat to the carefully structured instruments of what is right in the community. That is a sad state of affairs.
Similarly and thankfully, I am also aware of set-ups that encourage robust questioning as long as there is respect and a desire for healthy dialogue to take place. Criticism to just show how clever you are and stupid something else is falls into the trap of being conceited and diminishes any value it may have had. When loving people, however, turn their eye to offer insights and comments that are critical, the deal is to push through any initial hurt feelings and work towards the heart of the matter – seeing the area for growth.
As with the best concepts and values in life, this is something that can always do with work. The benefits, are massive and very much worth the process. It’s whether we have the eyes to see it, the hands to reach it and the heart to embrace it.
God help us.
(Photo by Les Anderson on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 