Differences Do Matter

Differences do matter, they really do, especially when very different people need to work together to achieve a goal. One would think a goal, being the common objective, would drive persons to complete their projects, and stay focused to the task. I have found this to not be true in a few projects I committed to work on. What furthers my amazement at their lack of diligence, is that they will benefit when the goal is achieved. No acknowledgment will come to me for my participation. In working to complete the agenda, my assignments are submitted on time, shared to facilitate their work and response. And, a response does not come. I wait a week, then two – nothing. Gentle reminders are not acknowledged.

I wait. Then, I wait and wait some more. And yes, even more time passes. Weeks turn into months, and soon it is clear. It is over. It is done. Gentle encouragements, offering gracious and kind solutions to assist with the completion of their part of the project met with no response. The project is well and truly dead! Now, I am embarrassed for them. It is shameful. Even though this is true, the work still needs to be done. It can’t stop.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation where you are required to work with persons who are flakey? They make promises, string you along until they can no longer hide their lack of diligence. They do as little as possible, making team work an impossible task. When this occurs projects inevitably fail, and vital projects threaten to end. Furthermore, all the work you’ve done is wasted. Or is it?

Your work will be wasted depending on your worldview. To move forward you need to understand the reasons for the differences. Theological understanding of what governs us is essential. What made and makes the difference is your worldview, and theirs? Why do you do what you do, and the same is true of them? Who are you serving, who are they serving? Do they know the difference?

Should they ever complete their work and try to resume the project, how will you respond? Will you respond with anger and frustration? Will you say no? How will you do this in a way that will honor the Lord?

• Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:17,23).

• Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free (Ephesians 6:5-8).

#workethic