November 27, 2018

Rise Up and Reach Out

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. – Proverbs 18:9

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Jesus never intended the church to be complacent. That was the message given to us last Sunday by our pastor. But, oh how we want to let someone else do the work.

We are quick to criticize. We rush to offer our opinion, usually negative, on everything anyone else might be doing. But we really don’t want to show up and do it ourselves. We don’t want to sacrifice time and money to be part of a solution. It’s way easier to stand back, criticize, and condemn those who do the work.

It’s all about us, after all. Really. It’s about what we want and how we want things done. We want to hear and sing the music of our choice. We want it to be the correct volume according to us. We want interesting sermons that keep us awake but don’t convict us of anything. We want programs and activities that we choose without having to sacrifice or pay for things that others deem worthy. We want only people like us to attend services and events. Does any of this sound familiar?

Pastor Ryan Martin talked about the in-between time in which we live. We live on the other side of Jesus’ resurrection but before the Second Coming. There is much work to be done but the laborers are few. We’d rather coast on through life than actually reach out to see and help others.

I know this is going to shock some of you but Jesus really didn’t come to grant you all your wishes. His life wasn’t about miracles and making everyone rich. It was about sacrificing Himself to reconcile us to the Father. Do we ever consider the cost?

Jesus’ birthday is less than one month away and we’re all caught up in the frenzy of gift buying and decorations. Christmas is the most commercial holiday we have. It’s become all about retail sales and gifts under the tree. We’ve forgotten to love the lost and care for the broken. We’re too focused on ourselves and our little world to remember anyone else.

Think a moment about your Christmas list. Who does it include?  What does it include? Probably lots of gifts and food and celebrations. How might your life and attitude change if you made a Christmas list not with things you want but a list of things you want to do for others?

I know. That turns our me-centered world on its head and makes us uncomfortable. We immediately defend ourselves while condemning those who might actually need a helping hand, a kind word, an outpouring of our love. It’s their fault, we insist. It’s not my problem, we explain.

Think a moment about who Jesus spent His time with. Was it the rulers? Was it the rich? Was it those who had their lives together? No. He loved on the outcasts, the widows, those who were sick. Why would we think He expects anything less from us?

Ask God to open your eyes to see the needs of others. Those was the words of our pastor. Christ’s work in this in-between time isn’t done. We are His laborers. There is no room for idleness, finger-pointing, or excuses. Rise up and work.

October 18, 2018

Dealing with Lazy People

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. – Proverbs 21:25

He is lazy. His bosses know it. His co-workers know it. And, yet, there he is impressed with himself and unable to understand why he got demoted and why no one respects him.

Have you ever worked with someone like that? Do you know someone like that? We notice it most it seems when it’s a co-worker but there are lazy people everywhere you turn.

Some folks just want to sit back, draw a paycheck (and I’m not talking about welfare here) and bark orders at others. They’ve managed to slide into a position, either through politics, friendship or luck, and they don’t plan to do anything but laze the days away.

I recently listened to a woman complain about mowing her grass. I was amazed that an adult had never mowed grass before. I guess she always had a husband or child to do it for her. She was highly offended that her only choices were to do it herself or pay someone to do it. She didn’t like either option. All I could do was laugh.

We see it everywhere. There are parents who refuse to go to their kids’ ballgames and do all they can to foist transportation and extras on to someone else. There are friends or relatives who forever show up at the potluck with nothing in their hands. They are takers who expect others to do their part along with their own share.

We see it when it comes to elder care. There always seems to be one person who steps up and others who just don’t have the time or money to lend a hand. They are quick to criticize, just don’t ask them to actually show up and do anything. And especially don’t ask or expect them to use vacation to tend to an elderly parent. Oh my! That will highly offend them. They are simply too lazy to make that sacrifice.

Of course, sometimes we think someone is lazy because we simply don’t understand what they do. A farm is a full-time job but I know so many farmers who get frustrated with ugly comments from people. They consider farmers to be too lazy to get a “real” job. The truth is that most farmers work way more hours, doing much harder work, than the average person. They work from daylight to dusk and beyond as they plant, tend and harvest crops. And they get far less pay than people realize.

It’s frustrating to be around people who refuse to do their share of the work. It’s exasperating to listen to their excuses and then, when backed into a corner, hear them blame you or someone else. They spend way more energy and effort to get out of work than it would take for them to actually do the work.

The sad truth is that we can’t make people want to work. We can’t make people do what they should. We can only pray for patience and wisdom, for the ability to offer grace and mercy, because God loves them just like He loves us.

October 15, 2018

Integrity

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” 

– Mark 8:36

“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” – Leviticus 19:11

He’s nearing the end of his career. Over the years he’s formed friendships that blur the lines of objectivity. It’s easy to slip a little here, a little there. What difference does it make, after all?

He was once a good man. He was a man of integrity. At least, that’s what they say. It isn’t evident now. He cuts corners. He’s dishonest. He doesn’t follow regulations. And, most of the time, he doesn’t try to hide it.

He’s not a bad person. He’s someone you would like. He’s just like you and me. He’s a regular guy who goes to work everyday and puts in his time. He’s heading toward a pension. He’s got retirement in his sights. I wonder sometimes if he realizes how easily he could lose it all. Maybe arrogance and time have made him feel immune. He isn’t.

Maybe you would never compromise your integrity for a job. Are you sure? I have a friend who is a firm believer in showing up, doing your job, and going home. Don’t get involved in anything you don’t need to be involved in, he says. Don’t pay attention to what someone else might being doing. Just do your thing and let it be.

But is that the right thing to do? Should we turn a blind eye to behavior that is wrong, dishonest, illegal? If we do that, are we part of the problem? We relax our own standards when we refuse to speak up against something that is wrong.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. – Colossians 3:2

I represent Jesus, whether I am at church, at home or in the workplace. That’s true of every believer. We are His light, His hands and feet, in this world. If we ignore wrong behavior, how can we expect anyone else to step up and do something?

Jesus always defended the underdog. He reached out to the outcast, the sinner, those who were hurting and desperate. He never once said it was someone else’s problem. Jesus directed His disciples to do the same. We’re to speak up when something wrong is happening.

It’s not an easy task. Do you confront the wrongdoer directly? Do you go to someone higher up, risking that he might also be involved too? Do you remain silent?

And do you participate, directly or indirectly, in what’s happening? What do you do when a supervisor tells you to do something that you know is wrong? Do you have the courage to walk away from a paycheck if that means keeping your integrity? Do you trust God enough to refuse to be sucked into wrongdoing?

Paul tells us to do everything as though we are working for the Lord. Would Jesus look the other way? Would Jesus risk everything to be honest? Would Jesus do what was right no matter the cost?

That’s how you live your life. It’s the difference between being a person who lives his faith and being a person who doesn’t.

February 27, 2018

What Are You Doing?

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. – 1 Peter 2:21

How often do you volunteer at your church? How often do you volunteer in your community? How often do you sacrifice your time and money to be Jesus in the world around you?

Most churches and outreach groups are hungry for volunteers. Everyone has good intentions. We mean well. We’re just so busy. Too busy. Surely, everyone else understands.

No. Actually. We don’t. “I just want to show up and not have to do anything,” came one excuse. Well, so would I. Except we wouldn’t have the ladies’ Bible study if I did that because none of the hundreds of women at our church will volunteer to lead a study.

“My work schedule is just so crazy,” came another excuse. Most work schedules are crazy. So what? Offer to pick up someone who can’t drive and take them to church for worship or other functions. Help coach the softball team. Take a turn in the nursery. Help make coffee or provide a covered dish to a grieving family.

“I’ve got young children,” is a common excuse. What a precious blessing God has given to you! Have you considered including your children in outreach ministry. My Mother was so excited when one woman brought her three young boys to the rehab facility. The boys wore Santa hats and passed out candy to all the residents. Everyone – children and residents – had a wonderful time and were blessed by the experience. Such a simple gesture on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

I could go on and on with examples. The truth is that most of us just don’t want to be bothered. We don’t. We’d rather stay in our staid little worlds and let someone else be the hands and feet of Jesus.

For most of us, God didn’t call us to organize a massive march on Washington. He didn’t tell us to start a world-wide relief effort. Nor did God say we were to sell everything and go live in a hut in South America. God called us to serve right where we are.

I wonder how many elderly people would give anything for a visit form a young family or, better still, to be included in a meal or outing? I wonder how many single people would love to be part of a family gathering?

Maybe you have a gift for flowers and plants. Did you know that some folks aren’t healthy enough to do that and, yet, they don’t really have money to hire it done? Your talents and their needs could benefit you both.

Maybe you know a teen who spends most of his time alone while his parents work. He or she sure could use a mentor. Surely you have some time to offer. Or what about that young Mom who is so overwhelmed? An encouraging word, and maybe a casserole, would brighten her day.

We aren’t called to live focused only on ourselves. We’re to reach out wherever God places us and touch those closest to us with kindness, compassion, and help. Even if that means we must sacrifice of ourselves.

March 4, 2015

Do What's Right

 

No harm befalls the righteous,

but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

-- Proverbs 12:21

I guess to them it's business as usual. Push. Push. Push. Bill for dollars. They hit a problem. Me. I don't push.

I have a real issue with government waste. I know. It's everywhere. I'm of the belief that we should get rid of them all (as in vote them out of office) and start over. Oh, and add term limits and get rid of the permanent perks. That's the only way to truly get change in Washington. It's not going to happen.

But here's the thing: that government waste comes down to the local level. That's me and you. Why should we care? Because as children of God we're to live our lives with integrity. That means not allowing things that are dishonest if we can do something to stop it.

In my case, it was home health for a family member. It is no longer needed. The surgeon agreed. I stopped it. They went to a different doctor to get it extended, then called to inform me they were coming out. No. They weren't. We don't need them anymore. I'm not sure we ever did but that's another issue.

They expected to have an elderly person answer the phone call. They expected to bully their way into our home. When I refused, they argued that they could monitor the wounds. Not necessary. The doctor said so. An older person might have given in. That's another $180 in their company's pocket. Not today.

I know that woman on the phone was only doing what she was told. And I'm sure the same is true of her boss. The company they work for is in the market to make money. But when they bill that government agency, those are my tax dollars getting sent out. I have a problem with that. You should too. It's wasteful and it's dishonest.

Yes, I'll check the report that comes in and I'll make sure they didn't bill the government agency for times they didn't come. If they did, I'll report them. It's the right thing to do. Just like it was the right thing to do to refuse to allow them to come to our home when they are no longer needed.

So what is the right thing to do when you work for someone who pushes you to do something that is not right? Are you a Christian when you go to work? Do you believe that God has called you to live with integrity all the time? There's your answer.

Living that answer is not easy. Choices have real consequences. But God has promised to be with us every step of the way. He has promised to protect us and take care of us. But first we have to step out in faith.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Lose The Attitude

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. -- Colossians 3:23

The other day I stopped at what I thought was a fast food restaurant. It was supposed to be. I’ve stopped there before and it always has been. But on this particular day things were not going so well for the employees.

The employees who were there anyway. Apparently they were short staffed and that had caused all kinds of problems. At least when it came to attitude. I stood and watched one woman assemble the burgers. She was incredibly slow. I could see the chip on her shoulder even before she mouthed off to another employee.

The woman in charge was determined to remain in charge. That meant, in her mind at least, that she was staying out of the kitchen. Eventually, she relented. Customer displeasure was growing by the minute and helping in the kitchen was the safer choice.

It would have been comical to watch but it was just so sad. One woman had a chip on her shoulder because she wanted help and it wasn’t there. Another woman didn’t want to lower herself to do what needed to be done. Two other employees struggled to stay out of the line of fire. And customers had the opportunity to observe something really awful.

It makes me wonder how many times you and I have done the same thing? How many times have we had an attitude about something we couldn’t control, something that probably wasn’t fair, and we used it as an excuse to not do our best?

Not you? Think about it. There are few, if any, folks who have never been in a snit because they thought something at work just wasn’t right or fair. And because we are human, it’s pretty difficult to let it go and let God take care of it. It’s hard to shove aside our displeasure and continue to do our very best, no matter the circumstances.

Maybe what we all need is an attitude adjustment. And a refocus on who we’re here to serve. Because when we do our very best, we’re doing it for God. And when we don’t? Well, that’s a reflection on God as well. Do we really want nonbelievers do see Christians as slackers or folks who have a bad attitude?

Sometimes circumstances are infuriating. We are faced with situations that are unfair and we want to strike out, in attitude if nothing else. Take a deep breath instead, and give it to God. Prayer is a wonderful healing balm and God is an amazing defender and fixer of all things bad.

Monday, September 5, 2011

What Does Your Effort Reflect?

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.”

-- Ecclesiastes 2:24

A song currently playing on contemporary Christian radio stations talks about doing everything we do to the glory of the LORD. It doesn’t matter how mundane or small what we’re doing seems. What matters is that we’re doing it to the best of our ability and giving God the credit. How true that is.

We tend to see the work of foreign missionaries or preachers as being more important than the day to day tasks we do. Yet, it isn’t. We have the same opportunities to reach others as they do. The question is: Do we use those opportunities or do we let it go or hand it off to someone else?

Everything we do, because we are Christians, reflects back to God. Think about that for a moment. As a parent, your children’s actions reflect back on you. That can be good or bad. Sometimes it isn’t even fair. But that’s just the way it is.

So what are you reflecting back to God? Do you show up for work determined to do your job to the best of your ability and with a positive attitude? Or do you crumble and complain through your shift, refusing to do your best because you don’t like your boss or you don’t get paid enough or it’s not your responsibility to take on someone else’s duties? As Christians, we’re supposed to draw people toward Jesus but no one wants to be someone who complains and finds excuses to avoid a job well done.

What are you teaching your children by your actions each day? Do you curse and talk down about the coach of your son’s team? Do you complain about your daughter’s teacher? Do you badmouth your co-workers or your boss? Do you fail to speak up when the cashier forgets to charge you for an item? Kids are like sponges. You’re teaching them that bad language is okay. You’re telling them it’s okay to talk badly about people who don’t agree with you. You’re showing them that stealing is okay if it wasn’t intentional and you don’t get caught.

God expects us to work hard at everything we do, whether it’s a top management job, the laundry or being a role-model to the kids around us. He wants our best. In all things. At all times. So what are you doing to the glory of the LORD today? Would He be proud to call you His child? Are you doing a good job of reflecting Him out to the world?

Monday, August 23, 2010

Trust God But Do The Work

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." -- Proverbs 16:3

We want to do good things. We want to succeed. We want God to pave the way so that we can kind of just show up and take the glory. Oops.

Don't get me wrong. I know some people truly do work hard for the Lord. They show up when other people sleep in. They don't mind getting dirty. They pray diligently. They raise money for good causes. A few even stay in the background, refusing to accept any glory or participate in any limelight things. Others do good for others so they can feel good about themselves. They want to like the person they see in the mirror. They want other people to look on them with favor.

Other people have great plans. They seek God's will, start the journey, then wait. After all, if it truly is God's will then He'll do all the work. Won't He? God is the creator of miracles so why should they have to work to make His plans happen. They just sit back and wait -- then blame God when nothing happens.

Of course, some people seek God's will and then work hard to make it happen. They show up every day, determined and focused. They give God complete control of the project -- until He goes one way and they want to go another. That doesn't work for them. So they snatch back control and God's will becomes a thing of the past. That's never a good idea and they eventually learn why.

It's not always easy to seek God's will and work hard toward the end result. Especially since we humans tend to want it done yesterday. We forget that God's time and ours are vastly different. We get discouraged. We get frustrated and give up.

I love what David said to his son Solomon when he gave him advice on building the temple. I imagine that project might have been a little overwhelming, regardless of the fact that David had everything ready. 1 Chronicles 28:20 says, "David said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you...'"

What awesome advice!!! My Bible footnotes had another great piece of advice. It said to trust God as if everything depends on Him but work as if everything depends on me. Yeah, that sounds about right.