Monday, May 4, 2009

Government Work

For years I have mocked the role of supervisor in labor situations. I enjoy manual labor, but it will never compare to that feeling of promotion which comes when you finally get to stand by and observe others doing that same job.

I say this tongue in cheek, but I have been struck by this method of task structure and how it is now permeating the private sector. In the past week I have walked through no less than three retail businesses as an obvious manager stands with a few other skirts/shirts and ties to stare at some seemingly miniscule issue on the floor.

I am less bothered by the redundancy and more by the potential that this redundancy will cease to be a joke and soon be accepted as status quo. Deep down, I fear that there will be one more area in life that my structural superiors will have to view me as subversive.

Some of you know me well and others are just scratching the surface of my complex, regularly perplexing, highly emotive, seldom revolutionary existence. One thing that holds true to my outlook on life is that investment in personal relationship is a more substantial investment than merely gathering for with the goal of task/corporate advancement. That said, I have little affinity for meetings, especially those meetings that are under the guise of relationship and instead reinforce the dysfunctional redundancy that is becoming more prevalent in society.

I am contending with the economy of God's kingdom as it differs from the world's economy which seems to be in a current state of decline. Our families hope in moving to Ireland is to live according to a Kingdom economy that calls us to give freely rather than a monetary system that needs consumers to survive.

We will see how it works, but while we takes our bumps and bruises will you do me this favor and I will seek to share this mission. Don't stop meeting! But when you do will you not see your mission as deciding the conclusion of a task whether it be how clean is "clean" for the restaurant's fireplace window, which isle should the chips be located in, etc. rather look at those around you who could finish that task as competently as you could if they were given the freedom to do so and invest.