Obligation

March 13, 2010

“Not too far from us, a few blocks away, there are kids without enough to eat and without parents who care. A little farther away, hours by plane, are people unable to reach their goals because they live in a community that just doesn’t have the infrastructure to support them. A bit farther away are people being brutally persecuted by their governments. And the world is filled with people who can’t go to high school, never mind college, and who certainly can’t spend their time focused on whether or not they get a good parking space at work.

And so the obligation: don’t settle.

To have all these advantages, all this momentum, all these opportunities and then settle for mediocre and then defend the status quo and then worry about corporate politics—what a waste”  -Seth Godin, Tribes

Godin goes on to say that some people talk about how much opportunity we have. I know I’ve said that a million times. I’ve always felt that here in Fort Walton Beach we have tons of opportunity to do something significant for the Kingdom of God. I think that’s true in every city around the U.S., but certainly nowhere is it more evident than here. The resources are abundant, and the need is evident. People are hurting. They need to know there is a God who loves them. They need environments that are engaging, relevant, and helpful, but most importantly, they need a passionate group of people who care less about religious politics and pettiness and more about loving others.

But, Godin says it’s not opportunity we have as much as it is an obligation. When we’ve been given so much we simply can’t waste it. And he’s right.

Yesterday I chaperoned a middle school dance (The word dance is used very loosely in describing this event.). As God often does, He turned this into a divine appointment. I talked with a lady over the loud music and other distractions about her 7^th grade daughter, who is really her granddaughter, the death of her son, their incredible medical issues, and a dozen other things any one of which I would think too difficult to deal with myself. As I stood there and watched all the kids and heard more stories I just couldn’t quit thinking about the unbelievable opportunity— I mean obligation— that we have.

We can’t continue to settle for mediocrity in the church. We can’t make excuses and give less than the best we have to offer. And, we can’t keep defending the status quo. It’s time to unleash God’s people– all their creativity and energy. Don’t settle. It’s time to wake up Church.

Comments