Monday, March 14, 2011

Full Circle Service

Scripture verse that caught my attention today: Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

Observation: Paul encourages Christians to come full circle. True freedom actually leads one to more commitment, not less.

Application: Most formal policies are written with the slacker in mind. Since it is assumed that people will gravitate toward the bare minimum, the bar is raised—via a policy—so that the bare minimum will at least be acceptable.

Unfortunately, such policies often become the bane of existence. Overachievers find little incentive to engage (and tend to resent those who do only the bare minimum) and underachievers tend to feel like everyone is focused on them and their shortcomings. It’s a lose-lose situation.

Paul sees things differently. Once the minimum requirement is removed, the freedom to do more kicks in. We are called to resist compulsive slavery of every sort, and yet, ironically, go on to become slaves to each other. We are more or less called to run from one kind of slavery in order that we might be freed to enter into another kind of slavery. It’s crazy—crazy good! Paul’s like a mad scientist who has somehow stumbled upon the prized formula.

Well, maybe not as prized as hoped: we tend to still resist it big time, opting instead to go our own way, do our own thing. But that’s not what Paul had in mind. He had higher hopes for us. And it really was a better all-around plan.

Prayer: Lord, in this Lenten season let us think more in terms of service than being served. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Deuteronomy 25-27 and Galatians 5)

No comments:

Post a Comment