For weeks I have been watching the work crews building a fiber-optic network in our neighborhood. I could not wait to get rid of my cable service. I won’t mention the company by name but it rhymes with Dime Corner. I was so excited to switch to the new technology. I was giddy when the installer showed up yesterday. I told him that I would be happy to allow his company to videotape me telling my current provider to take a flying leap. His response was professional.

And convicting.

“We don’t say bad things about our competitors. We just tell you about our product and let you decide.”

This was not an aberration. I recalled a similar exchange I had with another employee when I set up my installation. I was joking again about doing a commercial about getting rid of cable and she replied gently.

“We don’t criticize our competition.”

Two things hit me. First was how professional these employees were when I teed it up for them to bash their competition. They didn’t even think about swinging the club of criticism. Kudos to Verizon and their management. The new technology is called FIOS and I am delighted with the results of that installation. The only bad thing is that the HD signal is so spectacular that I just watched Meerkats for an hour when I had other things I needed to do. But that is my problem.

The second thing that hit me is that I could learn from the responses of these professionals. When I have a chance to bash other denominations, churches and leaders perhaps I should simply say I don’t criticize others. I just want to tell you about Jesus and His grace. I want to tell you about my Savior. I want to tell you about love that is unconditional.

If I represent Jesus and His message well then I won’t have to bash. Genuine seekers of truth will figure out the difference on their own. I am not saying that I will never challenge or even criticize another ministry or leader. I am saying that such conversation needs to be in an appropriate forum and presented in grace and truth. I want to steer away from the cheap and easy bashing that comes so naturally to me.

Paul’s words to Timothy are timely.

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.  (2 Timothy 2, NLT)

So I was blessed yesterday with eye-popping HD signals and a little loving correction from the Lord. Gotta go now. They are imploding buildings in HD with surround sound. Awesome!!!!