Issue 323
I made what was clearly a big mistake in a store the other day; because the staff were so casually dressed it was hard to tell if an individual was working or a fellow shopper, and I asked someone a question to determine whether they were working.
“Are you serving?” was my question. The look I received back was one you would expect if you had made a racist remark. “How can I help you?” came the extremely curt reply. Clearly the word “serving” has become completely off-limits and it was obviously foolish of me to use it in the first place.
I am not sure when it all changed. Possibly, because I mainly shop on the web I have missed this, but clearly the HR revolutionaries have rebranded the wording so ‘service’ is out and ‘helping’ is in. Helping implies that the helper is strong and the one being helped may be weak; the need is in the role of the customer not the staff member; it is a subtle but real power shift. There is an implication that there may be something shameful about serving so it needs to be translated away.
I wonder if it is always the case that we should attempt to avoid any form of work which could appear to be demeaning or even shameful – at least in the eyes of others.
It is said of Jesus of Nazareth that he endured the cross and scorned the shame. The scorning of the shame may well mean that he swallowed it whole and took the bitterness of the drink. Somehow he found the strength of will to carry out an unglamorous, unpleasant and, in the eyes of others, shameful project.
Given the fact that he is our pioneer, model and example could it be that you and I are called to embrace, rather than avoid, forms of work which are not necessarily pleasant or pleasing? I’m not suggesting we seek them out or even celebrate shame but maybe we are supposed to develop the ability to discharge such duties when the need arises. It is the washing of the feet, the binding of the leper, the cleaning up of the vomit and the weeping with the wounded which carries no kudos but changes the world. To sit and listen to a colleague or lift up a struggler may not be in the job description but might be on the cards.
To work like this when you don’t feel like it requires perspective; to allow yourself to be humiliated, to persevere under pressure, to endure and hold the line, needs a vision beyond the immediate.
Jesus had a joy set before him which enabled him to endure. You cannot work well if you only see short-term; you cannot really serve if you don’t look up; you cannot scorn shame if you don’t spy out the joy; you may work in a small space but you cannot be bound by it. The joy in view is not impersonal; it is yours to be owned in the future. It will be made of something indescribably good, satisfying and rewarding.
God is no amateur manager. He knows that you need motivation. There is joy to be had – at a price. The price may be enduring crosses and scorning shame today – right now – for a better future; it’s all part of the solution to the puzzle.
Hebrews 12:2-3
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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