So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit….So tend to your knitting. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I’m convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it. (Romans 14:10-14 MSG)

My word for this year is choose.” Why?

Because the default in our society and in my life is to criticize. Practically every TV sitcom is based on put downs and some level of condescension. We try to elevate ourselves by putting others in their places, so long as it is below us on some level.

But where does that kind of thinking get me?

My critical and condescending ways don’t help me one bit when I face God. He is not impressed with my ability, my gift, at analyzing the faults of others. More to the point, He is disappointed at my self-centeredness and unwillingness to consider others and where they are hurting. In fact, I pile on rather than help out.

What should I do?

I must choose. Choose to stick to my knitting. I’ve got enough to work on myself to expend so much time offering critiques to those who won’t even receive it. I must choose to analyze my own shortcomings, namely my intense focus on self and the disdain of others who do not meet my standards.

I must choose. Choose to forget deciding what’s right for others and instead choose what’s right in God’s eyes. If I choose to see others as God sees them, my discernment leads me to serve them. What else should we do when we see others in need, who are failing?

I must choose. Choose not to be a stumbling block because of my negative nature. Whenever I see others fall short, I will choose to see in what ways they stand tall. What are they doing well? How can I encourage them?

The choices I make determine the influence I have. At work. At church. At home. In all spheres of influence.

These are my choices. What are yours?