Opus 2011-274, Should-a-Beens: “Ask not what your church can do for you...”

One of the great sound bites of history is the comment of John F. Kennedy when he challenged a generation to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.”  It was a great moment.  Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears and short attention spans.

But it is a great principle.  I think it would do us well to rephrase it like this, “Ask not what your ________ can do for you, but ask what you can do for your ________.”  Fill in the blank.  I would suggest “church” as a good example.  We have a large mass of people on spiritual vacation, looking for the amusement church that has the best heavenly thrill rides.  They talk about how a church is not meeting their needs.  They have a long list of things the church should be doing.  They want great preaching, a singles program or youth program depending on their age.  They want a nursery and ample parking.  A/C is assumed and of course you don’t want too many old people or uncomfortable seating arrangements.  They totally miss that the spiritual gifts are given out so they can serve, not so they can be served.

The principle is that we are to give, not take.  It applies to all areas of our life.  If you don’t want to put “church” in the blank, how about “wife”? 

Remember we are called to be saints, servants, salt and light.  We are not called to be victims, critics or sponges.  Where do you fit on the spectrum?

homo unius libri