Over the past several months there has been a growing realization that our society is intent on the end result at the expense of the journey. Some of you out there might be saying to yourselves that this moment of understanding is coming awfully late in my life, but I guess I held out hope that the end result and the method getting there can both be accomplished with integrity. Sadly, this does not seem to be the case.
And the truth is that this mindset pervades all aspects of our culture. We seem to be intent more on the speed of results than the method and quality of the results. Instead of exercising for an hour a day, every day, for months and years, we would rather take a pill, or undergo surgery to reap the rewards of looking healthy. We like the slim tummy and the smaller size pants, but we still can't climb stairs or lift anything over our heads without straining a muscle. The results are a cheap facsimile of the real deal. You see it takes far too long to gain the stamina, the lowered heart rate, the correct cholesterol level that good diet and extended exercise brings. We want to forgo the hassles of the journey to get to our goal..looking good.
We see the same thing in business. Questionable methods are condoned as long as the profits go up along with the sales figures. Who cares if people get hurt or marginalized in the process? At least companies these days don't spend any time on the concept of loyalty any longer..they know it is a myth, the employees certainly know it is a myth. So we develop the fastest path to the desired goals regardless of the health or well-being of anyone involved be it executives, employees, or customers. American business at least has dropped the facade of "partnership" and "best practices".
This same malady has befallen our religious arena as well. The concept of slow, careful spiritual formation has long been jettisoned for the quick hit of urban ministry. The common mantra seems to be "keep 'em busy" and they will give their money and show up enough to make the attendance look good. Church leadership seems far more interested in growing the organization than growing the weakest member. Deals are struck, communication is convoluted at best or intentionally misleading to gain the quickest resolution. And the leadership has the latent approval of the congregation to do so because no one is stupid enough to question the marketing blitz that goes on. Doesn't it make sense that if church leadership spent the time and enormous energy in developing disciples, who are Spirit and spirit led, that any initiative that the leadership felt good about would have the confidence to be completely transparent in their communication? Sadly, this is the rarity, not the common-place. We want spiritual formation NOW! Yet from my own experience it is a very slow, halting process.
Unfortunately we also see it in our families. It seems much easier to just hammer on some other family member than to try and understand their lot. We want experts to tell us what to do. Without fail when I teach my conflict management course someone will come up after class and spell out a particular problem with a kid or spouse or in-law, then stand there expectantly wanting me to give them the "answer". And after this happening dozens of times I have to take a deep breath and control my impulse to take a stab at giving them an answer! I am afflicted with the same disease! I can't come up with an answer in 30 seconds to a problem that has developed over years. No one can. But we want to subvert the process and get to an answer as quickly as possible.
Not long ago I read this quote (I wish I could remember where) "Only Bad Things Happen Quickly.." This resonated with me because it is so counter to our culture. We are not into the long haul. And we sure don't like a difficult process.
Here is what I want:
1. Understanding that the process has to have the same level of integrity that the end result will have.
2. I want organizations to act in the best interests of the least in that group, be it corporate or church or family.
3. I want the patience to undertake the slow and careful journey of doing the right things.
4. I want the wisdom to understand that good things come slowly.
5. I want the courage to confront those around me who want to circumvent the process of integrity.
Not too much to ask, do you think?
Godspeed, this journey is best enjoyed when done in the right way.
Don
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