A
so-called defensive mechanism used by many to fend of blame or responsibility -
this would be my simplest definition of this topic. Put bluntly, in most cases,
it is simply laziness masked with wit. It is a very disturbing occurrence when
you think about it pretty deeply. Logically, what the person saying may make
some sense but then we would all simply use logic to twist our way free of any
'tethers' that attempt to hold us down. We would rather be free to do as we
please when we please regardless of the concluding effects. Such persons
usually focus more on themselves than on the result of their negligence. What
makes this phenomenon extremely dangerous is that, like pride, it is subtly
cunning, almost unrealised till it has run its course, and lastly and most
notable of all... highly contagious!
Some
people determine whether they will work for God depending on whether or not
others will play their roles. If those others do not for one reason or the
other, or simply cannot play their roles, the others also resolve to do
nothing. Well... except complain about everything else. This is wrong! And
personally, it really saddens me when i hear people say, "...because he or she did this or that, or didn't
do this and that, so i also won't play my role." God must be so heartbroken upon
hearing such utterances - boldly and actively choosing to be proud and serve
your own purposes rather than Gods'. Since when were we created with our
decisions and responsibilities tied to that of others? We were born independent
of others (even in the case of twins... triplets... etc ...) with our own
responsibilities and the tools (talents/gifts) to accomplish them. Though we
were made in such a way as to conform with others in order to work as one
result-oriented body or unit, we were also uniquely made in such a way that, as
an individual, you could function on your own and still be greatly effective!
At
some point in my life as a chorister i wanted to quit. This was due to the
frustrations i encountered, and honestly as well, because of how i got treated
sometimes. I spoke to someone old enough to be my older sister (whom though i often
referred to as "mum" 'cause she felt more like a mother to me) and
the result was that she gave me some real good advice that has stuck with me
till now. It really keeps me going now
more than ever! It is the same advice i give others when i notice their
resolve to quit or simply sit on the fence rather than play their instrument or
sing their part effectively or at all. It is the same advice i give others in
other regards like work or education. It is pretty simple advice but ... it is real deep! This is how I'd put it;
"Whatever we're doing now... we're doing unto God.
We need to remember that and do our best. If we complain, make excuses and sit
on the fence like the one-talent guy in the bible... the outcome will not be
favorable! On the judgment day, it will be an individual affair between God and
man. God will not ask why someone didn't carry out their role thus preventing
you from carrying out yours, He will simply ask what you did with the talent(s)
He gave you. So, just play out your role effectively; do what you have to and
then simply leave the rest to Him. Fulfill your duty." ~ Patience Bediako
Those
weren't the words she, the motherly-sister, used, but that's what she meant and
that's more or less how I say it. It certainly isn't easy especially when
others are willfully not pulling their weight, but Philippians chapter 4 verse
13 tells us that, "I can do ALL
things through Christ who strengthens me!" God will never give you a task He knows you cannot
handle 'cause He's God the Omniscient (All-knowing), and thus He knows your
capabilities and limits. 1 Corinthians 10:13, KJV - "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that
ye may be able to bear it."
It
is understandable how upsetting it can be when a person fails to play out their
role which affects you or your role somehow, but it is not an excuse to throw a
tantrum and whip your hands high up into the air in protest and then fold them
across-chest with a resolve to sit in that very spot you are and do absolutely nothing! Were we all to make
such a resolve almost nothing would be accomplished. Take the choir for
example. Should each member say, "...because
so so and so will be late i might as well be late too...", who would be on time to sing or
play instruments? How about the ushers? ...who would then usher in the people
who arrive at church? What about the pastors? ...who would preach or teach if
there's none around, or if they're all late or simply didn't feel like being at
church that particular day? Sure... God could raise up others to play those
pending roles, but those replaced would lose whatever blessings are involved
with that service. Someone once said this and I've never forgotten it; "You are where you are for a reason." This implies that your life is
never a waste or a blot, but in fact, that you are part of a great (and in fact
the greatest) puzzle piece ever known! - The
Salvation of Mankind. So, by all means, go ahead and wreck the puzzle by
choosing not to play out your role just because some other soul failed at
theirs by choice or not. I assure you... you
will live to regret it! Just ask the guy with the one talent in the bible
who got thrown into outer darkness as punishment for willingly doing nothing
with his talent. If you prefer darkness to light, by all means, be my guest and
go for it! ...but, if even the
slightest hint of faithfulness lingers somewhere within your soul, then, carry
out whatever role is yours with your best effort and leave the rest to God to
handle. He is God after all.
I
am no perfect being. I have made my own mistakes, but i have also learnt from
them. So, I am not writing this as one who knows it all but rather as one who
has learnt from past experiences, both of my own and of others. I am not
ignorant of the great annoyance of individual parts of a unit seriously messing
up and thus making your work difficult, but i do know that no positive result
is obtained from sitting on the white fence arms folded. If anything, it
further worsens the outcome (usually that is, unless God decides to step in).
These situations are occasions opportunistic enough to display a high sense of
maturity - to show everyone else that you know what is important and what is
not. By choosing to carry on regardless of the disposition of others, a person
tends to cause a break in that destructive chain of a habit. By default people
tend to easily take to the side of logic, but then, as people start to stand up
for what is right... a revolution breaks
forth!
The
temptation to "follow-the-trend" of a fence-sitter is quite a
difficult one to surmount, but is nonetheless completely possible. All that's
required is a strong foot to be put down nice and hard. To choose to be
different from the rest of the lot and thus end up standing out can make all
the difference in the world. In that moment time may slow for a bit just for
men to take notice of the change leaving an 'unblottable' mark behind. You can
choose to be that mark for God, or you can choose to be nothing for the
world... it's your choice!
~ yoyo
~ inspiredw0rdz
~ December 1, 2015 ; 22:34pm
