A dilemma may be defined as any difficult or perplexing situation or problem. It might also be described as a difficult choice between two alternatives.
JourneyMen face a dilemma.
On the one hand, we live and work in a competitive, “me first” culture in which it is considered normal to do whatever is best for oneself. It is customary to view truth and goodness as useful only if they advance our personal cause, viewing others as stepping stones to our own personal gain or success. One more for me, one less for you. These attitudes prevail in our social and work environments, and they characterize our culture.
On the other hand, we claim allegiance to a Savior and Lord who instructs us to love our neighbors as ourselves, forgive others and treat them as we would be treated, love our enemies and pray even for those who persecute us, and serve those whom we would lead.
The two sets of standards – those of the popular culture and those of Christ – could not be more opposed. Not only that, each has its serious disadvantages. The marketplace takes a terrible social, psychological and physical toll on its constituents, who live under enormous pressure and stress, almost a continuous “fight or flight” scenario.
Christ’s way has its own disadvantages. That is why Jesus Himself taught us to count the cost. It is also why most do not gladly and wholeheartedly choose to follow Christ in life and in the workplace. It is, after all, costly. People will ridicule us. They will laugh. We will be passed over. Friends may forsake us. The guy who wants our job or promotion will get it, if we don’t bust his chops.
So we face a dilemma.
Most men drift along in life, making smaller and larger ethical choices as they go. Some might verbally endorse the Christ centered way of life, especially on Sundays if they are the churchgoing sort. But in work and in life the rest of the week, successive choices are made day by day, week in and week out, until they accumulate to reveal one’s true allegiance. In other words, actions and attitudes add up over a span of time to reveal our true allegiance to God, or to someone else.
JourneyMen understand there is another way. That way is to choose first and decide ahead of time, counting the cost and moving forward as purposeful men of Christ. In this way, our original choice will guide our actions all the time, as we ask God daily and hourly for the knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out.
Joshua said it this way: “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.” Notice that Joshua did not say, just move forward, men, and pick your way through the details of life and work, deciding as you go whom to serve and how to live. No, he calls us to choose first whom we will serve.
Of course, once we have made our choice to serve God, or to serve ourselves and the expectations of others, our behavior will increasingly reflect the values, character, and integrity of whomever we have chosen to serve. If we choose to serve the culture around us according to its rules and practices, then we will look and act accordingly.
If, however, we choose to serve the Lord, then the values, character and integrity we live out day by day will increasingly resemble His. In fact, they will be His, because He will be working through us.
We simply cannot obey Christ in the workplace or anywhere else without first weighing the options, counting the cost, and making a definite choice up front. Any attempt to do less will ensure “play as you go” mediocrity, inconsistency, lack of influence for the Kingdom of God, and damage to the cause of Christ.
JourneyMen understand that it is foolish to claim allegiance to Christ without first making the choice that sets our course in obedience to Him.
See All Seven Commitments of a JourneyMan
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