What I Learned From Taylor Swift...

I was listening to the radio the other day and this song from Taylor Swift came on.  I have heard it numerous times.  But this time it was different... I don't know if you are like me and I hope you are not in this scenario, but I don't do well with criticism.  When it comes to criticism, I can handle it and appreciate it from people who I have history with.  You know, friends, family, ministry partners, leaders who I am involved in their lives.  But as a pastor we get criticism all the time.  I don't know if I have experienced a Sunday in the last 4 years with out some kind of criticism.  "I don't really like that song." "The music is way to loud." "The music needs to be louder." "Do you know any hymns?  Because it seems like you don't." My favorites are the one's from people who don't serve at the church at all and they just think it is their job to just let everyone know how bad they are doing and how much better they would do.  I think the part that is hard about criticism is that people don't usually know how hard you work at something.  Or they don't know your heart behind what you are doing.  One of the hardest lesson's I have had to learn over the past couple years it that you can't please everyone and as long as you are a leader in the church you will get criticism.  It's just part of the job.  So when I heard this song it really struck me.  And I found myself reminding myself not to worry about the criticism that comes.  Its going to happen.  People always throw rocks at things that shine.  And that is our job isn't it?  To shine for Jesus.  To be a light in this dark world.  If we are a light people are going to throw rocks at it.  I have experienced and learned that in ministry you really have to have thick skin.  We have to know who we are in Jesus and what he says about us.  And what Jesus thinks is all that matters. AND HE HAPPENS TO THINK I'M WONDERFUL :-)