IT'S MY JOB
Kimberly Lawrence
Today’s Scripture: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
Theme: Being a disciple-maker isn’t only for a select few, it’s for all believers. (It’s easy to hide “me” behind “we.”)
“IT’S NOT MY JOB!”
I’m not sure there is a comment that makes a manager or co-worker cringe more than hearing, “It’s not my job.” You might be thinking, “Is there a gainfully employed person today who would even consider uttering those words in this job market?” If you’re like me, regardless of your rank, tenure, or seniority, you consider any job in need of completion to be “your job” …even the undesirable ones. I recall preparing for a client meeting at our office one day when I realized the restrooms had not been cleaned from the previous day. With only 15 minutes until the clients arrived, I was picking up stray paper towels, wiping out sinks, and scrubbing toilets, all in a skirt and heels. While janitorial services were not part of my job description, the work needed to be done, time was of the essence, and my hands were available.
“ME” BEHIND “WE”
Throughout my life, I’ve always found it more comfortable to be part of a group. Team sports over individual sports appealed to me. I favored group projects vs. independent study in school. At work, I sought positions that rewarded a collaborative effort more than an individual contributor. Why? Because it’s safer. There is less pressure when you can blend in. That “play-it-safe" mentality can easily carry into ministry, if I’m not careful. It’s a little more subtle than saying, “It’s not my job,” but it includes things like avoiding a direct discussion about Jesus. It's hoping I can get a friend to church so they can hear Mike preach, instead of bringing up spiritual questions myself. Maybe, it is always yielding to others when an opportunity to pray aloud exists. Or, safely “skipping” worship on Sunday when I have out of town guests because I’m not sure how they will feel about being invited to church.
BACK TO “ME”
Why is it so hard for me to translate this “It IS my job” line of thinking to ministry? Instead of a “roll up my sleeves” and “can do” attitude, I am instead stringing a line of excuses together that are a disguised way of saying, “It’s not my job.” They sound a bit like this: “If I knew more about the Bible, I would….” “When I have the opportunity to talk with hem privately, I will…,” or my favorite, “I don’t want to embarrass myself if they don’t believe in God so….” I wonder if God finds it as offensive as I do when He hears me say, “It’s not my job”? It's time to be bold!
Make it Personal: Jesus not only calls us to be disciples; He prepares us and expects us to act. If the disciples and those that witnessed Jesus’ miracles stayed mired in fear and anxiety about sharing their stories, where would we be today?
Pray: God, help me to be bold. You have declared me a witness and have given me my own story of your grace to share with others. I want to accept discipleship as “my job” and get busy at it. I pray for Your strength and for Your power give me the boldness I need to take action.
Read: Judges 6:12; Psalm 56:3
Weekly Memory Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)