Do we have sharpeners in our life?

I have learned something that has been growthful. When someone criticizes and or corrects you, they may be just the one, who truly loves you!  Proverbs 27:17

No one is perfect, no one has it all together. Some may think they do, yet if they are truly honest with themselves, they would see truth. And if that was the case we would have no need of a Savior. I know of only one who was perfect, Jesus, only He could take care of what we could not! Yet people get caught up in themselves.

As a Pastor, I have been told, and heard many times, if your flock comes to you every Sunday and tells you how great your message was, well I think you get the picture here! We need people around us who will love us with truth, genuine honesty. Sometimes we need to be told, hey that was not your best message, or you could have handled that much differently!

When we are approached with those kinds of critics, it is not always bad. It may just be the very thing we need to hear, the thing that will help us grow. And keep your feet firmly planted and your spirit humbled. I always tell the congregation, never think or feel you have arrived, never feel you know too much. When that is done, you cannot be taught, or learn anymore, that is a dangerous place to be.

We need to the type of people around us that sharpen our skills, challenge us to reach a little further. People who are not attacking us, as we have those also, but bringing positive criticisms and corrections! Those who are hungry also, those who cannot get enough of God and just want more. When ever I hear someone tell me, no matter what and how they have done things, people always give them compliments. I get concerned!

For us to truly learn and grow, we cannot always be right! If we are told we are enough, that one time, someone tells us, hey you could have done that different. We get offended and hurt, why? Because people would not be completely honest with us. How do I know this? Been there, have done just that, it is a very dangerous place!

We need to be sharpened, even a knife gets dull when used enough, why wouldn't we? We need to be renewed, refreshed, and sharpened at times, we need those people around us. Not because they can do it better, no! It is because they know we can be better, and they are willing to come along side us to do just that.

Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."