Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Indispensible
(Being Tuesday's "Thought for the Day")
I wonder, when was the last time you asked yourself – “do I really need to do this?”
We are faced with the question each day, whether we recognise it or not.
Do I really need to do that job now?
Do I really need that second helping?
Do I really need to be at that meeting?
Sometimes the answers are clear and straightforward. I don’t think I ever need a second helping, as much as I like them.
Sometimes a job has to be done whether you like it or not because others are relying on you.
But sometimes the answer lies as much in our own attitude as anyone else’s. The need to be important and valued is something deeply rooted in us. It’s about identity. Sometimes it’s about needing to look good, not for others, but for ourselves.
As I sit at my desk I can watch the traffic as it goes past. I see all those people who, in the poorest conditions, still drive to work when the advice is “don’t bother. Don’t go out unless it’s essential.”
They can’t all be doctors and nurses, fire-fighters and power generators, ambulance crews and the like. Some, yes, but not all.
What is it that drives them, and us, to feel that we are indispensable?
Christian faith understands humanity as “made in the image of God.” It doesn’t deny our capacity for error, failure and selfishness, but ultimately we are created to be pleasing to God. Each of us as an individual masterpiece.
The next time you are challenged with doing something because it makes you look good to yourself, stop. Look in the mirror. See the child of God there. Loved for who you are.
Once you’ve done that you should have a far clearer answer to the question of need. ¶ 8:43 am
I wonder, when was the last time you asked yourself – “do I really need to do this?”
We are faced with the question each day, whether we recognise it or not.
Do I really need to do that job now?
Do I really need that second helping?
Do I really need to be at that meeting?
Sometimes the answers are clear and straightforward. I don’t think I ever need a second helping, as much as I like them.
Sometimes a job has to be done whether you like it or not because others are relying on you.
But sometimes the answer lies as much in our own attitude as anyone else’s. The need to be important and valued is something deeply rooted in us. It’s about identity. Sometimes it’s about needing to look good, not for others, but for ourselves.
As I sit at my desk I can watch the traffic as it goes past. I see all those people who, in the poorest conditions, still drive to work when the advice is “don’t bother. Don’t go out unless it’s essential.”
They can’t all be doctors and nurses, fire-fighters and power generators, ambulance crews and the like. Some, yes, but not all.
What is it that drives them, and us, to feel that we are indispensable?
Christian faith understands humanity as “made in the image of God.” It doesn’t deny our capacity for error, failure and selfishness, but ultimately we are created to be pleasing to God. Each of us as an individual masterpiece.
The next time you are challenged with doing something because it makes you look good to yourself, stop. Look in the mirror. See the child of God there. Loved for who you are.
Once you’ve done that you should have a far clearer answer to the question of need. ¶ 8:43 am
