The Penthouse or the Outhouse

Sonny Jurgensen was a quarterback for the Washington Redskins. After a very poor performance one Sunday afternoon he was interviewed by some reporters. The reporters were very critical. They talked to him about his slump. They asked him questions like, “Do you think you are all washed up? Do you think you’re going to make it through the season? Who do you think is going to take your place?” They verbally beat him up with their sharp questions. Finally, the crowd left but one reporter lingered. He felt sorry for him and asked “Sonny, how do you stand all this criticism? Doesn’t it just depress you forever? Don’t you just want to quit?” Sonny looked at him and said “No it doesn’t depress me. When I became a quarterback I understood that I will either live in the penthouse or the outhouse but I will seldom live in between.” That is true of all leaders. Some people want to put you in the penthouse. Others would like to have you in the outhouse. To some you are a hero. To others you are the ultimate villain in the plot. You are respected by some and hated by others. But leaders, if they lead the way God wants them to lead, cannot allow themselves to go up and down on the yoyo of popular opinion. It is impossible to lead any worthwhile cause without facing opposition and criticism.