Thoughts for the Day

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I joined a needlework group when I retired. That summer I entered two embroidered pictures, one of poppies and the other a sentence of scripture with a stave of music, in the Pembroke Show. I felt as if I was leaving my babies on their own when I took them into the tent and paid my entrance money, for I'd never tried embroidery before. What would the judges think? I didn't want others judging them negatively, so I was somewhat nervous after lunch when I returned. I found one picture had nothing by it, but the other had won a first prize (but the photograph is rubbish!).

In his letter to the Corinthians Paul has been criticised, perhaps because he wasn't considered to be a real apostle unlike the disciples who had travelled with Jesus. He had reminded them that he had been given his commission by Jesus himself on the road to Damascus, but their negative attitude still continues. So he asks them to think of him and his colleagues as Stewards, for such people have to be trustworthy.

Paul also reminds them that it is the Lord Jesus who will judge him. All of us will one day be judged by our Lord, and the secrets of our hearts will then be disclosed - the times we have criticised and judged others, whether silently or out loud. A church or any group that is riven with criticism is unhealthy, and each of us has a responsibility to change things.

Lord God,
forgive us when we are critical of others
and judge their actions or words.
Help us to remember that one day
we will be judged by You -
for all the times we have been
judgemental about other people.
Also we ask Your help to think,
and act, more positively.
Amen.