September 27: HIDING FROM RESPONSIBILITY

Annually, the fall is an important time in the life of the churches. New programs and ministries begin, new challenges are given to the church and the call goes out for volunteers to respond to the challenges. Church life in many places becomes embarrassing as professing Christians evade the responsibility that goes with their profession of faith.
It reminds me of what happened when God chose Saul to be king. (1 Samuel 10) Saul was a very gifted and charming young man. Not only that, he was unusually tall, a head taller than anyone else. He would be a very imposing figure while doing God’s work, from every angle. On the appointed day for Saul to accept his responsibility, he didn’t come. When they looked for him, they found him in a very embarrassing situation; he was hiding.
This unusually tall man was trying to hide in a pile of baggage. How shameful! Chosen and asked to do something for God, he chooses to hide from responsibility.
Many Christians act like that. Committees have to “beg” people to be workers in the Kingdom of God. Opportunities for service turn out sounding like irritating jobs. “It is required of stewards to be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). “We are fellow workers with God” (2 Corinthians 3:9). These words somehow were skipped over in the daily Bible reading and responsibility was not taught.
Christians, we cannot hide from our task. We have a job to do. If we don’t do it, it goes undone. When someone else tries to do his work and ours also, he suffers burn-out and does neither task well.
I think some Christians need to fall in love with Jesus again, then their responsibility would not seem a burden.
Spiritual laziness is an ugly condition. The fields are ripe for the harvest, but the workers are few.

“Thank You, God, for equipping us to serve You. Forgive us for the
times we do not quickly go to work for You and your Kingdom. Amen”