Issue 129
If you are involved in supplying goods or services to clients or the public, you will be aware of a cultural habit which is predominantly displayed in the Western and possibly in the Northern parts of the world. The further East you goand the further South you head, the less you will encounter it and possibly the more you will display it.
This habit is that of demanding immediate delivery: once an item has been ordered or a service enlisted you want it straight away or at the latest, next day. The web has now given us the capability for near instant results, so you can watch a movie on demand or listen to music as fast as your connection will allow. When there is a delay you find yourself frustrated or irritated and demanding action, sometimes threatening to take your business elsewhere or, if you are the supplier, you end up on the receiving end of this venom.
Whilst it is not unreasonable to expect prompt responses, when paying for a service, there is a risk that we can assume that the whole of life can be subjected to the speed of market forces. There is an intriguing little parable which Jesus told concerning the scattering of seed on the ground. The point is made that whether the sower sleeps or gets up, the process of growth will go through its various steps; this process needs time. Shouting at the seed or sweating with irritation will not change the situation.
The context of the story is a description of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is all about people. Here the conflict of cultures emerges. If you want to see people grow, develop, mature and even come to faith, it takes time. The qualities which you want to see in yourself will not arrive on demand or even by next day delivery. It is deeply frustrating if you are a child of the instant- delivery generation, but equally it can be stress-reducing to give people the space and time and well as the care and attention needed to take measured steps on their paths. After all, you need that don’t you?
Mark 4:26-29
26He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
In preparation for the next GEOFFSHATTOCKweekly, do feel free to email us your thoughts to wtw@worktalk.gs or leave a comment on our Facebook or Twitter profile. You can also visit our YouTube channel - get inspired and share Worktalk's vision with others.
Work well
Geoff Shattock
© Copyright 2024 Geoff Shattock
All GEOFFSHATTOCKweekly archives are for personal use only. For permission to use for any other purposes please email using the address below thank you.
WORKTALK LEARNING
1 Washington Villas, Hythe Road, Marchwood, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 4WT United Kingdom
T:+44 (0)23 8086 8543
http://www.geoffshattock.com
comms@worktalk.gs
