Pam's Perambulation

In the plethora of talent contests of one kind or another that grace our tv screens, the one thing they all have in common is judging panel.  They are supposedly there to give us their valuable opinion – and there is always a “baddie”!  In those programmes open to public voting, there is another angle thrown in, as popularity over talent plays its part.  I suppose in such a contest there has to be judgement of some kind, to make a decision on who is best, but it often makes uncomfortable viewing.

But judging others can be dangerous.  Perhaps we haven’t got the whole picture, or we’ve misunderstood something, or we’re concentrating more on how we’re feeling than what we’re seeing in someone else.

Paul is quite clear about the situation

“The Lord is my judge”

You get the impression that the people have been talking about Paul, most likely behind is back!  The argument still rumbling on about whether he or Apollos is better; question what Paul is teaching, and how.  Deciding for themselves how good Paul is.

But Paul tells them not to bother.  He’s not concerned what their opinion of him is.  He only cares what God thinks of the work he’s doing.

It’s nice to be liked, and even better to be appreciated.  We want to be judged to be doing well.

But that is not the most important thing in our actions.  We should be concerned only by what God thinks of us – and get on with it.

Help us Lord

not to worry about what others think of us,

but to care about you,

how you feel,

what you want,

what pleases you –

and live like that.

~ by pamjw on February 22, 2011.

Posted in Lectionary
Tags: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, judging