Job Description
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6.8)
I've always been a fan of job descriptions. It is only fair to let people know what is expected of them. After all, I like to know what is required of me. And I am a bit "put-off" by someone who says, "We don't need that kind of thing in the church!" Oh, really? I've seen lot of problems that have been caused by failure to clearly communicate job requirements up front. That's true in both secular and church work as well. I painfully discovered in my ministry that volunteer positions may need job descriptions even more than paid positions!
I don't understand the hesitation about telling someone what is required of them. Micah certainly didn't hesitate. He told people what the Lord required of them, did he not?
Some take-aways from what Micah said about the Lord's requirements:
God tells us his requirements. Is he a "fan of job descriptions"? Don't know, but I do know that he has told us what to do.
God's requirements are good. God does not require evil of us. He will not tell you to do wrong! As a friend used to tell me, "It's never wrong to do right and it's never right to do wrong."
God requires us to do certain things. Godly living is not passive. One thing we must do is actively seek justice for others.
God requires us to love certain things. God looks at the heart, doesn't he? He requires you to love, but the good news is that he puts love in your heart through the Holy Spirit if you let him!
God requires certain attitudes. "Watch your attitude!" we sometimes tell children. God wants us to watch ours, too!
What's in your job description?
As the scripture says, O Lord, your commandments are not burdensome. Your requirements of me are good, and in keeping them there is great reward. Amen.