Organizations, businesses, ministries, and churches today need more ‘Playmakers,’ not more critics! There is no shortage of the latter, but always a shortage of the former.
Playmakers change the game just by showing up and they do the little things that lead to big results. They add value to their teammates. Although they can make mistakes and drop the ball sometimes, they are resilient, dealing quickly and healthily with conflict by bringing resolution for the good of the team.
For playmakers, it’s more about winning rather than getting the credit. They are God’s difference-makers. They change the game and cause others to rise above mediocrity by motivating through example. They not only lead the way, but also speak words of encouragement to their teammates.
It’s one thing to be a critical thinker, but something very toxic to be a chronic critic.
Faith and mission are not spectator sports. They require intentionality. If you’re not in the battle you will have a clean uniform (a critic’s uniform is always clean). If you have too much time on your hands to criticize others you may be too bored with your life. This is a good indication you’re not anywhere near the battlefront. That’s where the opposition is at its greatest. Its folks who are doing the most for God that experience the most adversity at times. They are God’s difference-makers (their uniforms are invariably always dirty and stained). Troops at the front don’t have time to disparage one another with criticism. They have the real enemy in focus.
Critics vs. Warriors
The world is full of critics. The church has had its share of critics. And in every arena there are spectators and warriors. Warriors may be marred with scars from battles lost, but they fight on to accomplish remarkable feats. Spectators are clean and scar-free, yet typically do the most analyzing and criticizing of the warriors. They merely observe and disparage the warriors. Spectators watch and grade how the battle is being fought. Warriors go to the battlefront. They are the ones who matter in the end.
I love this quote that I taped on the inside cover of my Bible years ago:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt, “Man in the Arena” Speech given April 23, 1910
26th president of US (1858 – 1919)
A critic’s soul is usually cold and timid. A warrior’s soul is vibrant, passionate, and daring. Inspiration emanates from warriors. Disheartenment emanates from the overly critical and cynical soul.
Brian Houston said, “I’d rather be an ARTIST than art critic – FILM maker than film critic – MUSO than music critic – CHURCH BUILDER than church critic!”
Are you building toward, or tearing away from God’s kingdom agenda? Are you a warrior or a critic?