I am pretty sure you know the rest of that statement. It is a leadership principle that has been espoused for eons:
LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY
That sounds like a harsh statement but it is stating a fact. If you are not willing pull your weight by either leading or following, then don’t hold up progress forward movement by 1) standing around or 2) standing around and criticizing those who are doing something. Another leadership principle is this one:
YOU CANNOT ROCK THE BOAT AND ROW IT AT THE SAME TIME
As an athlete, then as a father, there were two words I didn’t like to hear and would not allow being said. You know what those two words are?
I CAN’T
I cannot 🙂 even begin to tell you how much I despised hearing those words from anyone, especially those who were asked to do something and their first response was, “I can’t.” G-r-r-r-r-r-r To hear people say that, and then watch them turn around and criticize those who are doing something, is not something I tolerate very well at all.
Here is another one found on page 274 of The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns:
THE ONE WHO SAYS IT CAN’T BE DONE SHOULD GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONE WHO IS DOING IT – Chinese Proverb
It is much easier to back-stab away; to criticize the way something is being done; to stir dissension by incessant complaining; to heed forward progress by dragging the feet; than to get with the program and make a positive contribution. It requires gobs of effort and cooperation to be a positive force and, for some people, doing that is like pulling teeth or getting a root canal. But the simple truth of the matter is this: if the church-both as a whole and also your church community- is to ever make a dent in the amount of work that needs to be done, it is absolutely essential that we pull together.
One last quote (and this is also from the book) that puts things in perspective for us:
MAKE YOUR LIFE A MISSION-NOT AN INTERMISSION-Arnold Glasgow
I would like to ask you if any of these principles “spoke” to you today and wondered if you would mind sharing your thoughts with me and my readers. I would love to hear what you are thinking.
This post is part of the book discussion on The Hole In Our Gospel, hosted by my friends Jason and Sarah. You can find further links at Jason’s site. This will be the last entry on this book (unless Jason and Sarah have one last assignment). I would recommend the book to anyone who is concerned about the church’s response to social issues with one caveat. The only way ANY social issue will be resolved (short of Jesus’ return) will be for the hearts of people to be turned to the Lord. No amount of good ideas and good works will drag people out of their sin and lethargy. Only a heart turned to Jesus Christ, and changed by His loving grace, can do that. But the church must do something and not just sit around and certainly not allow non-churched people to take the lead of meeting peoples’ needs.
I would consider the quotes to be cliche’s and not principles.And I couldn’t disagree more with the rather arrogant assumption that “The only way ANY social issue will be resolved (short of Jesus’ return) will be for the hearts of people to be turned to the Lord.”
You are assuming that if you are not Christian then you are excluded from being part of the solution. Apparently you are not familiar with or you choose to minimize the many positive social justice initiatives being accomplished by Jewish charities, the wonderful things being accomplished by Universalists, Diests, Athiests, Agnostics, Hindus, etc.
Christians have no monopoly on good deeds.
Fixing social justice problems requires work not belief.
Yeah they are cliches and maybe principles is not the right word to use but I still believe they are true. As for the statement about arrogance: I come from a worldview that sin is the problem of the human race and until Christ returns sin will always be a problem. I am not discounting what others do but just because we take care of a social issue that does not solve the basic issue i.e. man is a sinner and in need of a Savior. Until a life is changed from the inside out (and I believe by the power of God) the issue won’t really be solved. I have no problem believing the importance of work and not just belief and certainly don’t believe Christians have a monopoly on good deeds. In some cases, we are woefully behind. Thanks for your thoughts jeff.
>>Christians have no monopoly on good deeds.
Perhaps. But we definitely have a monopoly on our good deeds mattering, because they are backed by the God of all Creation, our Father.
When those who are of The World do “good” it is hollow and like a clanging cymbal or resounding gong. Kinda like a funeral drum.
I think the Jewish God and the Christian God are the same God. I am pretty sure the good deeds done by Jews carry just as much “mattering” to God as a Christians good deeds.
A receiver of a good deed could care less who gets the credit. They are just happy for the Justice.
It seems funny that Jesus would use a Samaritan (non believer, non Christian, etc.)as an example of Justice being done if it didn’t matter to “His” Father.
Christians have a monopoly only in their own imagination.
>>”I think the Jewish God and the Christian God are the same God.”
Well, jeff harris, therein lies your fundamental problem. You ‘think’ He is the same God. I KNOW He is the same God.
You’re spoiling for a fight that no one here will give you, jeff.
Play nice Donald. 😛
>>But the church must do something and not just sit around and certainly not allow non-churched people to take the lead of meeting peoples’ needs.
———————-
For those of you who believe in the power of the government to meet the needs of all of America, listen up:
If the Invisible Church did what she was supposed to do, there would be no need for welfare, food stamps, homeless shelters, or any social program that is forced upon us to pay for. We would show the power of The Kingdom and not the dominance of the government.
Just a thought. Bill nailed it with that last line of his.
Thanks for the “boost” Donald. I do happen to believe the church needs to get busy doing and not just saying. Sadly, one of the cults puts us to shame in their “taking care of their own.”
Bill,
Mormonism? Is it Mormonism you are referring to?
Yep.
You reminded me of a camp a few years ago where I was one of the counselors. There was one girl who would always say, “I can’t” or “I am not fit for this.” No matter what it was, she really thought that she was not able to do the task – even something easy like making a craft. We created a rule that at the camp, it’s either “I can do it” or at least “I will try my best.” Later we found out that her family situation is not so good so her self-evaluation wasn’t very high and we started trying to boost her confidence.
Saying “I can’t” is often giving up before you even try your best – and who knows, maybe you’re good at it and don’t know it (“you’re a poet and don’t know it” sort of thing)…
Among the quotes you mentioned above, the one that spoke to me most was “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” It bugs me sooo when people just stand and say “you’re doing it wrong” and when you ask “how would YOU do it?” they stare at you and say “dunno.” At the same time, I should watch myself so that I am not doing the same thing…
Tragically, that girl is not alone. Many have been so beaten down they know nothing else to say but I do like the solution. Your scenario about “dunno” rings too true. It is easy to stand on the sidelines and take shots when getting in the game is a whole lot harder. Thanks for the comment Zee.
Several thoughts this morning.
1) I Can’t as an athlete and Father drove/drives me crazy too. We can always figure out a way with the help of God – might not be the way we want but it will get done.
2) Love the Glasgow quote. Life is to be lived and to the fullest. We are not to be standing around waiting for life to happen to us.
3) The statement you can not Rock the boat and Row the boat at the same time. Important for the Church of Jesus Christ. We have a tendency to want to rock and not row. You get a WHOLE lot further Rowing than Rocking for sure.
Good thoughts Bill.
You thank me Jim. I should be thanking you for the insight you offer. 🙂 Appreciate it.
Great point! If we focus on God and rowing His boat then we don’t have time to stand and criticize what others are doing. May we just be on a mission to help God get it done where we are and spend less time concerned with how others are doing it. Just row the boat we were given…thanks Bill!
I agree with you on this Tom (obviously). You almost want to tell people, “Shut up and row or get out.” (In love of course) 🙂 Thanks tom for the good words.
I don’t like to “beat down” those who say “I can’t”. The angry response of “Get out of the way” only reinforces that person’s psychological damage.
They may not be saying “I can’t” because they’re lazy or unwilling. Perhaps they’re simply aware of their limitations. Perhaps they’ve encountered things that the “get out of my way” guy is totally clueless about. Perhaps they are simply wise enough to know that, indeed, they cannot do something.
I can give you a list of things that, no question, I CANNOT do. Ever. Telling me that I need a different mindset doesn’t make those things possible. The power of positive speaking doesn’t apply.
I can trust God about a lot of things. But Philippians 4:13 is not a blanket promise that EVERYTHING we want to do is possible if we just trust God. He says clearly “I can do all THESE things”.
I cannot perform surgeries. I can never win the TourDeFrance. I cannot win the Daytona 500. I cannot dunk a basketball. I cannot play football for the NFL. I cannot pilot an F16. I cannot cure cancer. I cannot give birth to a child. I cannot drink a fifth of liquor and still remain sober. I cannot cause all the pine trees on my hill to simply stop growing but remain alive. I cannot pay for my house without having a job. So, I don’t understand why on earth it’s so wrong to say “I can’t do those things”.
While I hope I don’t make you “Grrrrr” with all these, I find the dislike for “I can’t” to often be very ridiculous. We DO have limitations.
I need to correct myself – the verse says “I can do all thing through Christ”, and I don’t mean to challenge the wording of the verse. But I do see it as imperative to put the verse in context of Phil 4:8-12, not just 4:13 as a standalone “ain’t nothing impossible” statement.
We do that a lot…take verses that mean something and make them stand alone. It is far more powerful when seen in context. Thanks.
>>So, I don’t understand why on earth it’s so wrong to say “I can’t do those things”.
———————–
Bingo, Bernard. On earth it is acceptable to be all about “I can’t”. On earth, yes. I see it in many of the blogs I read. They would tout “I can’t” as an excuse or a justification of their own weaknesses and doubts, being held captive by them like a kidnapped victim.
In the Kingdom of my Father, however, it is a different story.
Just sayin’. Like Michael comments, “I can’t” is a cuss word.
Bernard: I didn’t mean to approve this then walk away but life called. First, I have no problems at all with those things you said you can’t do. I reckon I should have clarified by saying “those things that people can do but refuse to do because of the ‘I can’t’ mentality.” The list you gave me will not make me Grrrr. 😛 Those things people refuse to even try to do is what makes me go Grrrr. I do thank you for your contribution. It was good to hear.
Square peg, round hole. I’ll shuddup now 🙂
“I Can’t.” Is actually considered a cuss word at my house. Ethan has gotten in more trouble for saying this than anything else. The truth is “I Can” through Him and with Him.
Stepping off my soap box now.
i am sure you and April will be teaching Ethan not to cuss. 🙂
Our thoughts on this chapter are very similar while we took different approaches.
We definitely need to be about the Father’s business. He has given us the responsibility of being “The Light of the World.” We are empowered by the Spirit to be victorious in the task. It’s time to get going and shine.
Dusty,
>>We definitely need to be about the Father’s business.
———————
Indeed, indeed. But how much of what we perceive as being His business is simply our busy-ness?
Good point Dusty and good question Donald. Some of what passes for His business is nothing more than our busy-ness.
“I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
When I say “I can’t” the Father usually says…”I know, but through me you can!”
Good challenge bro’
Thanks Jay. I need to remember His words when life gets tough.
Always fun to be the odd man out… Sorry.
No apology necessary. I don’t see you as the odd man out anyway. I relish your thoughts.
“Make your life a mission–not an intermisson” Great quote.
Agree Matt. Thanks.
It can be so frustrating to see and hear perfectly capable people caught in the “I can’t” trap. And it’s sad because like you said, they’re denying themselves the joy of doing it, denying others the benefits, and maybe standing in the way of someone else doing it. Time to wake up! Thanks for sounding the alarm, Bill. 🙂
You capsulize it well Jason. Thanks for allowing me to be part of the book discussion. I learned a lot over the 26 weeks.