Committed to Serve…Unless Something Else Comes Up
This seems to be the theme of the day. Whether it is work-related, church-related, school-related or something else, it appears that more and more people are committing to things and are willing to serve, volunteer, attend, etc., unless or until something else comes up.
I say this as a guilty man. In fact, just last week I was invited to speak at an event. I felt honored. To be honest, just being invited strokes the ego. But…as I looked at my calendar (which already is overflowing with commitments, events, meetings, and more stuff…far more than it should be) I noticed that the day I was asked to speak was already full. There was a meeting (that I had set,) a luncheon, and a course for preachers and teachers I agreed to lead. I looked at this and began to have a conversation in my head.
Sometimes those conversations within one’s own head are far from helpful.
Nonetheless, I devised a way to do everything. Well, everything except that which I had already committed to do.
The speaking engagement was not local, so driving there and back would be around eight hours. But…you know…ego and pride can fuel that vehicle. However, I would have to cancel the meeting with staff that I scheduled and miss a luncheon I am to attend. Also, I would be praying for no traffic in order to make it back for the teaching event for preachers that evening.
But, you know, in my head it could be justified.
So, I sought out wise counsel — I texted my wife. I asked what she thought. Let me just say that I did not get a thumbs up emoji as a response. She gave wise counsel. Later she even asked why I had to ask. Certainly, I knew the right answer was to turn down the invitation. But, you know, self is an interesting idol and preferences and desires will blind us to what we ought to do at times.
I did turn down the invitation, but before I pull a muscle patting myself on the back, I am reminded that all too often, to quote the old knight from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, I do not “choose wisely.”
And to make matters worse, I can easily see the right response when it involves other people making such decisions. When people commit to serve in church and are scheduled in ministry areas where background checks and safety protocols are more strict (preschool and children’s ministry primarily) they are not just expected to show up, but are counted upon by many to be present, prepared, and punctual. Of course, there are always emergencies and sicknesses that interrupt life. Those are understandable. Yet, the last-minute trip to the beach, to the theme park, or the ever-present busiest Saturday in the history of forever often leads people to take a day off on Sunday with family for some “me time.” Do I sound a bit judgmental? Perhaps. I’d say I am more jaded than judgmental, but before I throw another stone at those glass houses, I am forced to face the sinner in the mirror.
In ministry, the counted-on server who just doesn’t show up because something more fun and enjoyable (or as many proclaim, deserved) comes up leaves others in a lurch. Why? Because it is like dominos (not the pizza chain.) When one falls, others follow. To be clear, it is never simply as easy as getting a sub to fill in. Never.
This is not just true for areas of ministry related to minors, but in other areas as well. And now that I’m leading our students again, I once again am faced with the last-minute sign-ups for DiscipleNow and camp and other events. Why? Often it is waiting for schedules such as band camp, travel ball, family vacations, and other such events to be released and available.
Understandable.
However, there is still the “Well, who else is going?” question that has yet to be answered. This has always been the case and I fear that it is just a version of the question we ask ourselves as adults when determining what to commit to do. Maybe not “Who else is going?” but “What if something else comes up?”
It is so frustrating when you know this is a reality, is not right, is not holy, and is exactly what we (well…I) do too often.
Of course Bible verses come to mind …
Matthew 5:37
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. [1]
Ouch.
May we honor God with our yes and with our no, being men and women whose word can be trusted (and our calendars, too.)
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[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 5:37.
