Let’s imagine that you look out your window next Saturday and notice your neighbor shoveling her driveway or mowing his lawn or doing some yard work. You’ve been looking for an opportunity to connect with your neighbor, and you have some time to spare. So, you decide to head over there and help out.
You’ve recently gotten a new DIY gadget (snow-blower / lawn mower / hedge trimmer). You’re excited to use it, so you power it up and get to work! You hit the ground running and give your best effort. You’re intense and motivated and committed to getting this job done. Whew! You’re really moving. Before long, your progress is noticeable. Things are looking much better — or at least really different — than they did before. There’s not much time to chit-chat or dilly-dally. You just git ‘er done and head home. Nicely done. Nothing like helping a neighbor in need.
Stepping back for a moment, think about this question: how helpful do you think you were?
It’s possible that you were extremely helpful, right? Sure. There’s a chance that everything you did was just what needed to be done and — more importantly — just what your neighbor wanted to be done. That’s a possibility. But isn’t it also possible that you weren’t helpful at all? It likely that you chose the wrong projects, brought the wrong tools and prioritized the wrong tasks. There’s a good chance that you didn’t do what your neighbor actually wanted. Are you able to admit that?
The way you just approached your neighbor is the way we often approach our brothers and sisters around the world. We have good intentions. We want to help. We’re ready to give up some of our time, our money, our energy and our expertise. We’re eager to make progress and see some results in the little time we have to offer. So, we bring our newest tools and our latest ideas. We bring all sorts of passion and energy. But, are we really offering long-term help?
Do we know what our partners want? Do we know what their priorities are? Are we aware of the culture and their desired approach? If not, we run the risk of doing more harm than good.
It’s time to changed our approach. Instead of STARTING something, let’s JOIN something! Start with the conviction that God is already at work in that community. He is already there. He’s bringing hope and restoration. He may be behind the scenes, but He’s present and active. He has listened and seen and loved the people in that community long before you arrived or even thought about this trip.
Not only was God already at work, but his people were as well. They’re glad for your visit. They’re not, however, all that excited when you take over. They’ll be gracious and typically non-confrontational. But I cannot imagine that they feel honored and valued when we show up and act as if we are the heros. This needs to stop.
Stop starting. Start joining. Join the work that God is already doing. Not only is he at work, but He is inviting us to get to work as well. So, let’s join Him. Slow down. Ask questions. Get to know people. Let’s go where God is leading and join what God is already doing.
Dr. Paul McGuinness 