Who would expect that a
sermon on the Leviticus admonition not to harvest all the way to the edge of
the field could give insight on how we work! Well, Maggie’s sermon—and her
example about how she “harvested” all the work and did not leave work for a
co-worker—certainly convicted me. I know that it is better to share the work
and to include others in the process, but sometimes it becomes easier to do it myself.
And if Maggie’s
sermonic nudge wasn’t enough, this week on Facebook a Christ Crossman ex pat
living in TX posted a quote from Baden Powell: “When you want a thing
done, ‘Don’t do it yourself’ is a good motto for Scoutmasters.”
The harvesting all the way to the edge in terms of
work is not intentional, but it does tend to creep up. I remember at one church
I served, I recognized that a second worship service was needed. I was given
approval by the PTB to begin the earlier service provided that it not cost the
church anything extra. I managed to do it. Here at Christ Crossman, as we have
moved to include more technology in what we do, especially in worship, I have
taken those tasks on myself—not because I wanted to do them all, but because
everyone else was already wearing so many hats, I couldn’t bring myself to add
work to their plates.
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had some advice for God’s
chosen, somewhat reluctant leader. Instead of handling all the people’s
problems himself, he should appoint leaders to handle most issues, bringing
only the most serious for Moses to deal with.
Responding to Maggie’s implied question of how am I
not giving someone the opportunity to serve and to work with a purpose, I first
say, “Oh, my. Mea culpa.” Forgive my thoughtlessness, O Lord. Forgive my
arrogance, O church.
Exodus 18:23
If you do this and God directs you, then you will be able to
endure. And all these people will be able to go back to their homes much
happier.
