The church I belong to emphasizes service. Christ served, we serve.
How we serve is always something we are trying to figure out.
Jordan and I are pretty independent, so we don’t spend much time asking for help.
In moving, we were encouraged by our congregation’s (“ward”) bishop to ask for help moving.
So we did.
And no one showed up.
Overall, this isn’t a big deal for us. We don’t need the help. But no one showing up is disappointing.
It speaks to deeper issues.
It suggests that service isn’t a focus in the local ward. It suggests that leaders may not have the influence they could. And it suggests a need for change.
I honestly worried more about who else (in much greater need) might not have received the help they asked for or needed. I worried about what might happen to them when no one shows up.
We had all our stuff packed in boxes a normal human preteen could lift and move (mostly) comfortably.
Many, many people do not prepare as much as we have, and many people are under much more constrained timelines.
So what obligation do I have going forward?
When no one shows up for me, what is my obligation to the next person?
Show up.
For the next person.
And every person after that.
And bring Jordan. And she should bring me.
Start serving. And invite others to follow.
Not only that. We should also know the people we can call and invite when no one else shows up. We should have strong enough relationships with them that the come when invited.
They should know we mean it when we ask. And they should know we will serve them when we ask.
We shouldn’t ream anyone for not showing up, nor should we hold it against the entire ward for not showing up.
They likely couldn’t come because they didn’t know. (Top down communication issue that can be solved.)
If they did know, and couldn’t come, there may be legitimate reasons.
If they committed to come and didn’t, they might have had a family emergency. (Although reasons may be growing increasingly thin.)
Point being: I don’t know.
But in order to get action, repetition is needed. Often repetition right when the action is needed.
What is my obligation when no one shows up for me.
Show up for others.
And invite others to come with me.