It is said that the United States has become a nation of consumers.
When our economy was doing well in the 1980's, 1990's and even into the middle 2000's before the "great recession", we Americans consumed. Depending on the item, we consumed like locusts devouring almost anything we wanted almost to the point of becoming gorged.
The problem with that kind of consuming is that you eventually run out of stuff to consume and or you are paying too high a price to get what you want to consume. At some point the consuming must stop or you will burst. How many times have we gone to a one-price buffet only to find out on trip number five to the bar that our eyes have been much larger than our stomachs. That's probably why the ancient Romans came up with the (in my opinion) twisted idea of "vomitoriums" where you could "relieve" yourself and continue gorging. That's far from healthy either. Like it or not we may come back to this aspect later.
But I'm not here to discuss food. I want to discuss life and how we are supposed to live it. When we consume, we're not necessarily committed to the product or service that we are consuming. I'll explain in a little bit.
Several weeks ago the lead pastor at our church was finishing up an adult Sunday school series on ecclesiology or a study of the church, its structure and functions. His closing comments were interesting to me and I would further say that they were a challenge to all of us in the room. Peter's comments dealt with the open ended question or challenge if you will, on commitment, standards and ownership within the church community.
More than the church setting, these ideas should be a challenge to every person's life whether personal, professional or even social. As I've chewed on these thoughts, which I like, there seemed to be another part missing that would tie those three together. I'm not going to mention it now because I would like you to be challenged to think with me.
In the scheme of life we are consumers of many things, but we should be striving to be committed: to a proper and balanced life; to our spouse; to our children; to our job; to our friends and other loved ones; to our church or other social parts of our lives; and ultimately committed to God.
But what is commitment? Or more importantly, how is my commitment? What does it mean to be in a "committed" relationship? For that one, our society and culture has redefined marriage. At one time we used to speak of the "marriage commitment". With a divorce rate of about 50%, even among church goers, where's the commitment? Another way to ask the question is how committed are we? After all, we made personal vows of love and care to and for the other person regardless of circumstance. The idea of a true partner for life has been largely dismissed. When we can divorce or walk away from serious relationships, we go from committed to consumer. The other person or thing was just that; something to be consumed or take out from without putting anything back into with the purpose of sustaining the relationship or the object of consumption (stewardship).
The Circle of Commitment
As I've pondered these ideas I see a circle or cycle that is supposed to sustain itself. The three parts to this Circle of Commitment are Commitment, Standards and Ownership. Each of these aspects is to feed and sustain the other and as we'll discuss, they do a fairly good job in doing just that.
Commitment. In all that we do in, there has to be some level of commitment. Depending on the object, our commitment will vary. Let's take a look at a couple of examples to help us understand commitment.
People and marriage is an obvious one. When we are struck with love for a person, our commitment will soar. Our love drives the level of commitment. As time passes, that love - and with it the commitment level - can wane. We see aspects about the other person that begin to bother us. We begin to be less "satisfied". Our eyes and hearts wander. In time, we lose any commitment and a parting of the ways occurs. Divorce may ensue.
Another example of commitment may be to a business or work venture. Again, we are enamored by the prospect of something new or bold or exciting. There are bells and whistles that entice us. There may be siren songs of adventure or something really new; a challenge. But in time, the freshness ceases to be fresh. The job grows old and it becomes just that: a job. No flavor. No taste. No fun. No excitement. Just tedium.
With both of these examples, we see that our commitment was not truly based on the object; it was based on what the object could do or provide for us. The fact of the matter is that the object of our commitment probably never "changed" but we certainly did. We changed in attitude and expectation. I have become bored. I've fallen out of love. I'm no longer interested or committed.
Like the vomitoriums I mentioned earlier, we find that oftentimes we are committed more to the "motions" or actions involved rather than the absolute object of the commitment; committed to eating as much as possible rather than to the delicacies being presented or the fellowship of the party or its hosts.
Standards. Typically when we commit to someone or something, we put in place standards. Why do we put in place standards? Standards are placed to "enforce" or reinforce our commitment. These standards will provide markers for what we do or will do within the commitment.
If our standards are high, we will keep working in the commitment. But if they're too high, we may find the commitment daunting or even impossible to keep. For example if I expect my spouse to keep a perfectly neat and tidy house 100% of the time, I will be disappointed. My spouse may not be able to achieve or maintain those standards because of a variety of reasons, some of which are controllable, others which are completely out of anyone's control. But notice that "I" am the one disappointed. MY standard wasn't being met to my specification. The standard and the commitment will fail and fall.
By the same token with a job, if the commitment level of the team is based upon sloppy standards or worse yet, unspecified standards, no one will succeed. There will be tremendous frustration.
What happens without standards? If there are no standards, we will selfishly make them up on our own as we go along, rather than purposefully meeting with the team and putting forth all (well, as many as can be formulated) the rules or standards of operation. While these "standards" may initially succeed, ultimately the project will fail with infighting and chaos.
We need standards; mutually agreed upon and respected standards. We need standards that are as objective as possible, not subject to anyone's particular interpretation. As a Christian, I am always amazed in the brevity and succinctness of God, especially when He is speaking to people. There's no wiggle room. The Ten Commandments are perfect examples: direct, to the point, plain.
Ownership. Which brings us full circle to ownership. Ownership or proprietorship is interesting because we are moved (both individually and corporately) to "own" both the commitment and the standards. This sounds easy, but it's not. Ownership is difficult and requires great commitment and adherence to the standards.
Let me give you two examples of ownership, each centered around property. Have you ever noticed how people (all of us) tend to treat things that are simply given to us? Typically, those items are used (consumed) and then put aside or treated with indiference. Remember all those Christmas toys that are soon ignored?
How about "low income" housing? As altruistic as those programs are, in short order those homes become unkept or untidy, falling into disrepair and eventual ruin. Why? In my opinion, it is due to a lack of direct ownership. This is why the Habitat for Humanity program works so well. Homes may be provided, but the new owners have to provide at least some of their own sweat equity and then pay property taxes and perform repair work to keep the property up and maintain its value. When we own something, regardless of what it is, we care for it. We repair it. We nurture it. When we don't own something, we rarely care what happens to it. We aren't committed to the home and then in response, fail to develop standards that will care for the home.
As you can see, this Circle of Commitment eventually collapses on itself. Commitments become "old", standards are lowered, we either lack ownership or because of the demise of commitment and standards, abandon our commitment. As we overall "give up", we even toss aside ownership because it's just not worth it.
Preventing the collapse of the Circle of Commitment
So how do we prevent the Circle of Commitment and actually support it? As I've seriously thought about this, I've had to relate it to my own life at this stage. As I look at the loss of a piece of commercial property that I've owned for many years, I see the loss of commitment and standards and now ownership. I've had to really think, "what is the root cause of this loss?" and "where did I go wrong?"
I can answer these questions with one word: VISION. I lacked vision.
Paraphrasing an ancient proverb, "without vision, the people perish" is valid and true. The end of that verse goes on to say "blessed are they who keep the law." Proverbs 29:18. That puts all of this into perspective. Let's dig deeper...
So often in my own life I have said to myself, "that's a great idea! Let's go for it!" Was the idea and the response to the idea based on emotion or was it based on a Vision? In other words, what would this course of action "look like"? I think I've come to understand that if I can't see in my mind's eye or don't see the purpose of the action, it's difficult to commit to it and the Circle doesn't even start.
However, if I can grab a glimpse of what the outcome and its journey looks like, I am better able to commit to it. Likewise, as the commitment is secure, I am able to build and maintain standards to enforce and reinforce the commitment. At that point, I can also own and enjoy whatever it is that I am committing myself to.
Vision is both the motive and the motivator of the Circle of Commitment. Vision provides purpose and power to the Circle of Commitment. But here we have to have a few caveats about Vision.
1. Where is the Vision coming from?
2. Is the Vision true and real?
3. How broad or narrow is the scope of the Vision?
4. How is the Vision being communicated?
Let's answer these questions one at a time and then I'll share two stories of great contrast.
Where is the Vision coming from? For some, the Vision may come from a person's own dreams, desires or machinations. Personal dreams and desires are not bad things. How many people do you know that have dreamed of being a doctor, nurse, policeman, missionary or successful businessperson from their earliest memory? All of their life that person did whatever it would take to achieve that dream or vision. In their mind they could actually picture themself in that profession serving others or achieving certain tasks or goals.
For the Christian, the Vision must always come from God via the Holy Spirit. The need for knowing and understanding God's vision for our lives is so terribly important yet we don't necessarily take it seriously. After all, dreams and visions only happened in Biblical times, they just don't happen now. Or do they?
When the Holy Spirit gives us a Vision as to the purpose for our lives, He's desiring us to do something amazing for Him. God's dreams and visions are God centered, not man centered. Unfortunately, we want our dreams and visions to be "me" centered. But when I purpose in my heart and mind to recenter my dreams, desires and visions to His, miraculous things can happen. God's Vision for my life may be more grand than I can imagine, but since He created the Universe, I suppose He can make His vision for my life actually happen.
Is the vision true or real? Just because a vision may seem impossible doesn't mean that it isn't true or can be real and realistic. A vision that is true and real will reveal itself. Committing to this vision isn't necessarily easy, but there's something about it that is irresistable.
Our society and culture have become so fake over the years that we yearn for something true and real. We want to commit to something that is true. We know that fake is just that; it's phony and empty. If a vision is true, we will not only commit to it, but we will also constuct the necessary standards and actually own it.
Which leads me to the next question...
How broad or narrow is the scope of the Vision? In my own life, I've seen God provide me with both kinds of visions. He works both ways. Sometimes the narrow is first needed so that I can see the trees in the enormity of the forest. Other times, He will give me the broad, panoramic view to whet my appetite for what He has in store, and then He hones me in taking me step by step.
Thankfully, God will let you know - if you're paying attention - which Vision He's allowing you to experience.
For a church or other organization, a broad vision is necessary to cast the largest net over the congregation or the employees or volunteers. The broad Vision may encompass many narrow Visions that will be picked up by the various people that will take part in the specific aspects of the Vision.
This is where the final question comes into play...
How is the Vision being communicated? They say that a picture can speak a thousand words. That's an understatement! In a business or institution, it's usually up to the board of directors or the CEO to grasp and then cast the Vision for the particular organization. The communication of the Vision is vital to the commitment, formation of standards and ownership of not only the Vision, but usually to the health and success of the organization itself.
A properly communicated Vision is vital not only to the object, but also to the level of commitment, that construction of the standards and to the ownership of the object. One of the downfalls that I've seen and experienced over the years (including my own business and family), is that a poorly communicated vision brings about confusion or false expectations which leads to considerable disappointment.
One of the biggest problems, I believe, that today's Christian church has is a lack of vision coupled with a poor communication of any vision. Here's what I mean, and I know that I'm going to insult many with this statement: people are lazy! When we're a part of an organization, we want the leaders to lead, but as followers, we also have a responsibility to the leadership in supporting them and their decisions. The Church in 21st century America is anemic because it has tacitly refused to seek God's face, seeking His Vision for the local or world-wide church.
In my own church, I would LOVE for the congregation to come together - without the prodding of the pastors or elders - in a holy convocation for an entire day to purposefully seek God's Will for our church as a whole (the broad vision) and for the individual ministries (narrow vision). Keep in mind that the narrow has to fit in with the broad, and the broad casts the parameters of the narrow. Unfortunately, we want the pastors and elders and deacons to do this holy work, when it is the responsibility of all believers and members of the church to do that. Imagine the moving of the Holy Spirit through the people as we humbly seek HIS vision for our lives!
A tale of two visions.
As I wrap this up, I want to share with you a tale of two visions that demonstrate the Circle of Commitment. The first one is an ancient one. Its story is widely known. It is also a tragic tale. It is the story of the Tower of Babel.
The people and leadership had a vision to build a great tower to reach the heavens. Here's the text:
"Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth." Genesis 11:1-9, ESV.
Were the people committed? Yes. Did the people have standards? Yes. Did everyone own this endeavor? Yes. Did they have a vision? Yes. Was the vision true and real? NO. In the end, this tower was bound to fail. God was not in the vision nor in the details. Everything they did was self-centered rather than God centered. Everything that they did was based upon their own merits and ideas rather than God's. This Tower was doomed to fail, yet there are many who still try to build this tower even today; and it will fail as well.
The second tale is one that I heard and experienced recently while visiting Florida.
We donated a simple computer to a new church based daycare center in central Florida. The director's name is Rose and as we sat and talked, she described her plans for the center. Then we went for a tour of the facility (much of it is under renovation). As we went from room to room, Rose painted a verbal picture of what each room would like and who would be ministered to, and what the desired outcomes of each of the programs would look like. Rose told us about her prayer life and how she sought God's face and grace in working toward the completion of the daycare center.
Rose also realized the work that was necessary. She realized the thought and prayer necessary. Through it all, this daycare center to serve not only children but the community was going to happen. Rose KNEW it. Rose had vision; she had God's vision! In this vision Rose was committed; no question about that! Rose has standards; you could see it in every room. Rose "owns" this daycare center, yet because she knows that God is the true Owner, she grasps it with hands that can readily give it back to God for His purposes, not hers.
Rose did what so many of us don't do when it comes to seeking God's plans, will and vision for our lives. What did she do? She counted the cost of what was to happen. She paid - and is paying - the price in time, emotion and resources. And now Rose - and every client and person that steps through those doors - will reap the rewards.
Wrapping it up.
So what are we, consumers or owners? Are we order takers or visionaries? Do we go forward with half-baked ideas and half-cocked attitudes hoping that what we do will work or be blessed by God or do we first seek His vision for our lives and His purposes?
In my own life I have lacked vision and its corresponding commitment, standards and ownership to the detriment of people and goals. It's time to find the vision and get back into life!
Although this quote is addressing churches in particular, its premise can be used with any group or organization. The author addresses consumerism and ownership and so it is valid with businesses and volunteer institutions alike. The author is spot on. Mark Dever in his book "Biblical Faithfulness" states, "Joining a church increases our sense of ownership of the work of the church, of its community [commitment], of its budget [standards], of its goals [vision]. We move from being pampered consumers to becoming joyous proprietors."
Consuming may be fun, but after a while, consuming becomes boring and even tedious. On the other hand, owning is hard work, but it's often exciting, motivating (to ourselves as well as others) and promotes joy with a finished (well, at least forward moving...) project.
The choice is ours to take.
Music video: Ashes Remain, "Here for a Reason"
