Somebody

I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized that I was somebody.    Lily Tomlin

 

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV)

 

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 3:7 (NIV)

 

I have noticed something in 25 years of ministry. The local church never runs out of good things that need to be done. I also believe "God will provide." I am assuming the gap between the good works God expects to be done and the unfinishedness of them boils down to a lack of somebodies. Elsewhere, a rule of thumb for all churches is that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Conceivably, these 80% are somebodies without a mission.

 

Rather than complaining (oh, and I do, sad to say,) what might be going on? True, some people are just lazy. But beyond that.

 

Here are a few observations I have made.

1. We don't ASK somebodies to help. Rather, we assume they "just know" what needs to be done. People like being asked.
2. We don't train somebodies. Most people feel unsure about trying something out without some orientation or training.
3. We expect perfection. Sorry, no perfect people here (or any where, for that matter.)
4. We don't let people see if a ministry is a "fit," one that utilizes their gifts and talents. No one wants to do something very long if it is not "them."
5. We don't let people move on. How many of us have suffered "twisting in the wind" in a ministry and no one offered to relieve us?
6. We don't thank. It doesn't hurt and it is a general disposition Christians should embody.

 

God DOES provide. We have God's work to do. In Genesis, God handed Creation over to us and told us that it was not quite finished but we were up to the task if we relied on Him.