Punctuality

Yes, I realize the very title of this article may "turn you off," and that I wrote a short article on the subject last year. But it seems to be need­ed again. The subject has been spoken on, written about myriads of times. That such exhortations are still needed is amaz­ing - but they are! Many members here at Taylors still need to be reminded, so here we go.

"Punctuality" is the noun form of the ad­jective "punctual," meaning "carefully observant of an appointed time; on time; prompt" (Webster). Now the question is: "Do we have an appointed time," i.e. for worship services? To ask the question is to answer it. The problem is that many are not punctual in meeting the appointment. I have observed it, and oth­ers have mentioned it to me (don't they always seem the think the preacher has the answer?), and the late-comers them­selves know they are late. There is one thing consistent about the lack of punctu­ality, and that is that the same ones are generally the guilty ones! If you doubt this, just notice and see. Now - what is wrong with not being punctual?

[1] It is rude. Remember, we are not speaking of cases once in awhile where tardiness is unavoidable, but the habitual, consistent practice of it. Have you ever tried to start a class or song service when it is "time to go" and the doors are still swinging? Have you ever had your pray­er interrupted by the tardy ones opening doors, and shuffling for a seat? Have you ever had your train of thought (either as a teacher or student) derailed by late­comers? "Not rude," you say? We all know better. Parents that are late comers consider this - you can take your seat in the back of the auditorium (which is usual­ly the case) but must send your child, red face and all, through the auditorium to his or her classroom. I see it all the time!

[2] It is a matter of priority. How about your work? Have you ever made a com­parison of your tardy times at work with those at worship services? You're on time because you know your income de­pends on your being punctual. Your salvation may depend on your punctuality at services. Why? Because of a few ticks of the clock? No, but because it is a symptom of a deeper problem of priori­ties. We are not late for things that are really interesting to us. We are eager to get there. And have you ever noticed how late-comers are generally also back­seaters? Folks, that ought to say some­thing to us!

[3] It is a sign of a disordered life. You don't believe it? Just ask anyone who has studied human behavior, among them preachers who have dealt with this matter for years on end. My own experience has shown me that folks I have had to try and help get their lives back in order also gen­erally have the trait of a lack of punctual­ity about them. Would you want such a person handling important matters for you? Certainly none of us would want that, for you want those matters dealt with efficiently and promptly.

Now, what can be done about it? I am not going to take the space to even men­tion it, since it is obvious to all. There is not an habitual late comer among us that does not know what to do about the sit­uation! I cannot help but wonder about  those who are guilty of this shoddy trait, know what to do about it and won't do it.

I do want to encourage us all to do better along these lines. The Lord's work is im­portant; more than any other you will do. Does it not then deserve to be treated with somewhat more respect and rever­ence than we often give it? All are not guilty here, and. I commend you. Let us encourage one another along these lines, and one way to do it is for each person to be punctual in every way possible in ser­vice to God. - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

Frustration!! - often the result of unrealistic goals. Goals are good, but they must be at­tainable. This reminds me of a fellow who came to a country farm and noticed a bunch of three-legged chickens running around the yard. Such an amazing sight he just had to find out about! So he knocked on the door and asked the old farmer about his weird chickens. “Well, you see, we got a bunch of kids around here, and they all like chicken drumsticks, so we figgered out how to breed these chickens so they got three legs." The stranger asked, "well, are they any good?" To which the old farmer replied, "wall, we don't rightly know. You see, we ain't been able to catch one of’em yet."

Goals keep us from wandering aimlessly through life, and when those goals are at­tained, it gives us a great sense of satisfac­tion. But when they are not reached, there is the frustration and disappointment that comes with failure.

We ought to be especially concerned about our spiritual goals. Materialistic ones are of­ten the result of empty day-dreaming, and leave us frustrated and perhaps angry. So set yourself some goals - not ones that are too low - but also ones you know you will be able to catch! Unrealistic goals are like three legged chickens - ' they are always out there ahead of us, but are also ever eluding our ef­forts to catch them! - Bill Moseley