LEADERSHIP SERIES - DEPENDABILITY

Just Get The Job Done!

I am just two months past the age of 50! I have lived now for just over half a century. I am balder, greyer, blinder and deafer than I used to be in my youth. After all I have been through, I can truly say that man is like the grass. In the morning (when young) he flourishes. In the evening (when old) he fades away. Oh, I have not faded away just yet. True, I am fading, but I have not faded away. Until that time comes, 50 years of valuable experiences must be passed on to my generation and this is what I am about in my blogs.

I was raised in the apostolic, Pentecostal church in the island nation of Jamaica. My parents were active as musicians, singers, youth leaders, missionaries and choral directors. They brought me to the house of God every chance they could. I am thankful to be a third generation, apostolic Pentecostal, preacher's kid.

I may not need to say it but, I have seen a lot of church in that time. Monday nights, Wednesday nights, Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sunday mornings and evenings. They took me to Brotherhood meetings, mid-week Bible studies, Youth services, choir rehearsals, Sunday School and the evangelistic services every week.

I loved big gatherings like the annual general conventions and youth conventions. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in one of these. I was 10 years old. I spoke with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave me power. I long for the simplicity of those days and times. Life was simple. God was simple. Church was simple.

My parents were loyal and faithful folk. They gave everything they had to the ministry. It cost them a lot and sometimes my siblings and I helped to pay the price for their sacrifice. I remember one season in our church life in Canada. We were hard pressed to finance a newly constructed church building. It was stretching our church to the point that it was pulling some members apart. Mom and Dad gave everything to see our church succeed. I mean, everything.

I was in high school. I was hungry. I went home for lunch. I opened the refrigerator. I stared into the abyss of the food cave and found only one head of lettuce. I was really hungry but I could not eat lettuce for lunch. Up to the freezer I went, only to find a tray of ice. I was really hungry but frozen water was not going to cut it either. At last, I went to the lower cupboard. I opened it to find a case of Coke. This was lunch. A hot can of Coca Cola. Sacrifice... commitment... sold out... love my parents.

They gave their word and kept it. They gave their support and kept it. They gave their money and paid it. They gave their time and did not regret it. Life, God and church were simple... as simple as giving their word and keeping it. That is how they got the job done.

If I was asked to describe the generation that I have watched grow up around me, It would be like this - Quitters. They never finish what they start; unfaithful and without a clue as to what it means to be loyal. Nothing bothers me more than the resulting frustrations I face when confronted by systemic unreliability. It is disheartening, discouraging and depressing.

In times like these, Dad's words come a calling: "I don't know why I ask anybody to do anything because they never do it right. It would be a lot easier if I did it myself." Hmmm, seems Dad's generation was no different, but Dad, regardless of his own frustrations, would always get the job done!

I cannot predict another man's reliability. I cannot always effect change to that reality, but I can be dependable. I can be reliable. I can keep my own word. I can be faithful. I can be loyal. I can be trustworthy. I can get the job done no matter who forsakes me or who is with me.

Matthew 26:38-41 (NKJV) 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Matthew 26:45-46 (NKJV) 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

Matthew 26:56 (NKJV) 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

The disciples committed to watch and pray with Jesus, but did not keep their commitment. Judas accepted Christ's call to the ministry but betrayed him. Peter later denied him and all of the dsciples forsook Jesus and fled. Yet, Jesus went to Calvary alone and got the job done!

No matter what, our mission is in our commission. No matter what, be reliable to God. Saving the whole world might be a suicide mission, but the job must get done. Do not fail God, no matter who fails you. Get the job done. God does not want you to give up! So, don't give up. Heave and cry if you have to, but do whatever it takes to get the job done. Bleed and die if you have to, but be who it takes to get the job done! Whatever you do - just get the job done!

#text #leadership #leaders #reliability #dependability #commitment #faitfhfulness