The Minimum Requirement

As a church we often get inquiries from people seeking a place to serve out their court-ordered volunteer hours. I always try to give them the opportunity. Sometimes it does not work out because our schedules do not match, usually they will end up working their hours off at the church. In my 30 years of working with these volunteers I have learned not to expect much. While there are some volunteers who are exceptional in the work they do and the willingness with which they do it, most come and try to do the least amount of work possible. I have a volunteer now who is the epitome of this. After he is finished with a task it does not look like he has done anything: litter still scattered around after he has picked it up, piles of dirt on the floor after he has swept, and the carpet looks the same after he has vacuumed it. Now, I admit, I grew up with my mother’s work ethic which makes me spend more time at work than I should – Just ask my wife Jaye. Yet, I do not think it is my lopsided work ethic that brings me to this observation. We have seemingly become a society where doing the absolute minimum is alright. That means the job is done quicker and we can get on to playing games on our phone, or sending texts with the minimum amount of typing, or just wasting our time.

It might work for our society, friends, and families but does not work for God. Yes, I know, it is not our work but Jesus’ work that has saved us (saved by grace alone). But that does not mean you are called to just proclaim Jesus’ salvation in a lack-luster voice with the minimum amount of enthusiasm. We are called to dedicate our whole lives to care and redemption of all that God has given us. Yes, we fall far short of that, often calculating the bare minimum we believe is needed while tearing down our own barns and building larger ones for ourselves. God knows and calls us from our self indulgent ways, giving us new chances to life and service.

As we ponder these things this Lent, we are reminded of all our failings and frailties and that God does not give us the minimum, but instead gives us more than we desire or deserve. In this time God calls us to step back into the tasks that he has called us to and to give them our best effort, hard work, and joyful exuberance. We are called to give all of ourselves for Jesus who gave all of himself.

Peace,

Pastor John