How do you solve a problem like Maria? Well for me this week, the problem was thinking about what to say in this column. Although there are many topical local, regional, and worldly events unfolding, it felt like I had little to say. Then I recalled two eerily similar moments, one at church and the other at work, both of which basically boiled down to the same thing. If we see all the issues and worries that plague our day-to-day life and expect for it to get better whilst being bystanders, then we are just to blame as those who are chaotic in the first place.
In both those spheres, we, yes let’s not exclude ourselves from the problem, often passionately sing about change and the need for action without waiting for authority from above, yet when it becomes time real issues are ignored. Struggling members drift in and out unnoticed, and sharp gossip often disguised as ‘rebuke’.
At work it is the choral complaints about the power hungry, narcissistic, indolent or lazy boss, when a staff meeting is announced then the almost ghostly silence that follows when everyone is fearful of being targeted. Then there are the comfort in chaos actors, where we have become so accustomed to the dysfunction and noise that we fear, the calm that may be on the horizon.
That we are so agitated for a fight that peace is the enemy!
Year after year we discuss stagnant worship and disunity or continued friction between team members without seeking to remedy it. Is it because we enjoy the seedy gossip of it all or are we just apathetic people.
We often are as Shakespeare once quoted “actors on a stage” where we have perfected the act of performing concern rather than practicing it, the prophetic lukewarm of the bible taking root?
Our performative acts are often followed by the need to blame someone for why the situation has failed to improve, staff blames management and management staff, akin to a ‘pass the baton of blame’ relay race. With no one with the courage or aptitude to fall on the grenade, like Captain America, the problem continues like campers lost, following the same circular path hoping to find their way home.
The lack of taking the initiative leads to a systematic failure, in judgement, in morale and in action. A further critique of our inaction is the bystander effect. We often become observers of the problem, almost cynically identifying the issues in the church, in the wider workplace, debating them and creating Facebook and X statuses about them. Yet still we lack the move to become actual movers and shakers, to destabilize and create a new reality for ourselves so that others can benefit from the moves we have made.
Our society has mistaken being informed for being involved. Being aware of the a myriad of issues, be they spiritual or otherwise is enough we say. Taking on the initiative to actually fix it or actually aid in developing repairs is a key move away from being a hearer into a doer. Much like the word calls us to be.
Funny enough, not haha , I am reminded of that Heineken commercial that uses Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero”. In many of our situations we often are at a standstill, encased in stone as we seek for someone to act. Is it because we lack initiative?
That there is a streak of cowardice along our spine?
Do we need someone the congregation sees as more righteous or more devout to call out the hypocrisy in behavior from those who frequent the pulpit? Or are we waiting for someone better to announce a pathway that all of us need to get on so we can improve our work or church communities.
The irony may be that the hero lies within us and not without.
Sadly, some of us may never realize this until it is too late.