Let's ...Get the Job Done!

Alex Haley had a picture in his office of a frog sitting on a fence post. When he was asked, “why do you have a picture of a frog sitting on a fence post”, his response was, it reminds me that I did not get to where I am all by myself. In life it takes the knowledge, the skill and the participation of many to do something well. Whether it is the building of a structure, the putting together of a large event, shaping a program that effectively addresses a need in the world or the formation of a single Christ honoring life, it takes the mind, the will and the courage of many to do it well. I recently read an article about Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. The writer said, “In the four decades since Neil Armstrong became a household name, he has also increasingly become an enigma, a ‘reluctant hero’.” It is said that Neil Armstrong could have been extremely wealthy if he had chosen to spend more time in the eye of the public. An auction house said, “If Armstrong spent just one afternoon signing autographs he could make a million dollars, but he always refused.” Why did he refuse to be the center of so much attention? When asked, Armstrong said there were 400,000 people that worked on that [Moon landing] program in various different ways and he thinks he did not deserve all the credit just because he did the flying part.

There are some principles for life that stand out in this story. First, let me re-iterate what I have already said, “If we choose to be a lone ranger in life we will miss out on opportunities to pour ourselves into something great as well as the opportunity to invest into the lives of others.” We will also miss out on something greater that God wants to do in our own lives. There is so much work in life to be done and you have been gifted to help out in some way. Part of that work is just in going to work everyday, being an example of Christ to those who work alongside of you then coming home at night to love your spouse and your children in ways that “build” them up and honors Christ.

The second principle that shouts at us is the truth that humility needs to be reflected in our lives if we are going to maximize the results for what we do. Just as soon as we begin to feel a bit prideful we shut ourselves off from others and the greater wisdom that we may have gained. Many leaders in history have brought tremendous harm and destruction on those around them because they chose to do things their way. Many others have invoked much good because they were willing to humbly solicit the wisdom of many and do what was right. In an unsolicited speech that President Ronald Reagan gave to a group of candidates running for congress in 1988 he responded to the several complements they had shared with him. In a humble manner he said, “I don’t think I did anything. The American people decided to “right” the ship and I was the captain they put on the bridge when they did it.” As we faithfully live out our daily lives, be guarded against any temptation that would say, “I deserve better than this.” Serve in the way that Christ has served us.

The last principle that I want to highlight is that of “doing our part”. Embrace the courage and the willingness to get our hands dirty in order to get the job done. The frog would not have made it to the top of the fence post without the help of someone getting him there. We would have not made it to the moon if someone had not been willing to get into the spaceship and fly it. We would not have experienced the positive economic changes in the 80’s without a leader that would humbly listen to the wishes of the country and embrace the courage to lead for change.

Embrace the truth that God wants to use you to accomplish great things. Don’t try it alone. It leaves an empty feeling in the end. Let’s think together, work together and pray together and …get the job done.” Read Ephesians 3:7-13!

Keep on keeping on,
Pastor Phil