First United Methodist Church "Celebrating Life Together in Jesus Christ" 602 South Market Street, Muncy, Pennsylvania  17756   (570) 546-8030 Michael R. Gardy, Pastor

Mike's Meanderings

WHAT A LEGEND LOOKS LIKE

Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, who turned 99 this year, was once asked his opinion of former Indiana coach Bobby Knight. Wooden would only respond, “I think Bob Knight is an outstanding teacher of the game of basketball. I don't approve of his methods, but I'm not a judge, and I'm not judging Bob Knight. There is so much bad in the best of us and so much good in the worst of us, it hardly behooves me to talk about the rest of us.”

I think he understands what Henry Kaiser once said, “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” Wooden has shown us what a legend looks like. He not only was a gentlemen on the court, he holds records that may never be broken. His 10 national championships, his 88 game winning streak, his phenomenal winning percentage, the players he groomed for stardom in the NBA -- this is his legacy; he has no reason to add the title of “outspoken critic” to the list.

In your life and mine, in your work and mine, there are a number of potential (even "worthy") targets of our own outspoken criticism. If we're not careful, they can take up all of our time. If we're not careful, we can be sidetracked into thinking our opinions are more important than our actions.

It's what we do that ultimately makes a difference. Talk isn't enough. Opinions aren’t enough. Criticism, no matter how on-target or well-articulated it might be, isn’t enough. We prove who we are by the way that we live.

Paul asked, "So why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God." (Romans 14:10)

Let's strive toward leaving a legacy built upon our own measurable accomplishments, rather than upon our estimation of others. Criticize less, do more. That's what a legend looks like.