Did I sign up for this?

My blogs are always personal. They are an attempt to let you into my soul. No doubt, they provoke a wide range of emotions. Some side with me. Some take issue with my thoughts. Others question along with me. This particular post is one that is causing me to bare my soul and some of the empathy I am feeling for my friends.

First, these are tough economic times. Many of my friends are struggling financially. They are hard-working and incredibly frugal. Still they find themselves just keeping their heads above water. Some are not even doing that. They are putting kids through school. They are trying to pay mortgages. They are enduring high fuel prices. They are trying to clip coupons. They find themselves living at best pay check to pay check, if that. I do not feel the pinch quite as much, but still, find myself hurting for them.

They are trying to find more income. They are in decent jobs, but still just can't find enough. This plunges them into worry and depression. It seems that life is not fair. The gap between the haves and have nots continues to grow, due to unchecked greed in businesses and predatory practices which accompanies it. I have more than one of my friends say to me "I did not sign up for this."

I wish I could do something, but often feel powerless to help. I have given myself to helping people, but at times just feel terrible that I can't do much. I ask myself "Did I sign up for this?" I feel the helplessness when I should be helping. I even feel the helplessness of changing the systems that are systematically destroying the middle class.

On the other hand, I have had conversations with colleagues in the ministry of this movement. The conversation often turns to the idealistic expectations of their ministry calling. They reflect on the process of their education and training. They were called to preach, visit and serve the poor. They often find themselves trying to find money for operations in a very competitive environment. They are pressed with more internal regulation and pressure for funders who ask for more and more documentation and demands, while receiving less in the way of funding. There is also some truth to some people feeling they are dealing with those who are difficult managers.

They also find themselves dealing with ever-increasing administrative burdens. Our electronic communication systems, which we were told were to make us more productive, often burden us with more last-minute "urgent" requests, which are followed by more and more emails, if we don't answer right away. I often wonder whatever happened to personal touch, like phone calls or face to face conversations. These often are a thing of the past. We have cocooned when we need community.

With all these burdens, societal and organizational pressures, many of my colleagues ask "Did I sign up for this?" I must confess as I deal with these and other issues, I ask, "Did I sign up for this?"

So what are people to do? Is it fine to ask, "Why?" Is it complaining to ask if "I signed up for this?"

Phil Graham, a former John McCain adviser recently called us "a nation of whiners." I don't think that we are. I do believe that many, even with strong faith are finding themselves almost at the breaking point. Often, what we believe to be true about God seems empty in our times of despair. We are often like Jeremiah, finding ourselves lamenting our plight. Instead of encouragement, we often get a "It'll be ok." or as one of my leaders said to me in some of my darkest days, "Suck it up, Larry." Sorry, for the hurting it is just not good enough.

While we need encouragement, I believe we need honest answers, people to come alongside with us in our despair with a desire to help us find elusive answers and give us honest comments in supporting us. We don't often get this.

I think what I signed up for is to be a helper and encourager. I am called to be one who helps people find answers to their financial, spiritual and even their incredibly difficult relational dilemmas. I am called to engage in mission. I am called to concentrate on that. While knowing there is minutia and difficulty to deal with, I am called to free others for mission, not restrict them or dictate the way they need to do it. I am called to create caring community. That's what I signed up for.

The question, "How do I do that?" The answer is more than just "trust God." At least, that is what I believe. God can do miracles. I am not losing hope. I am afraid for many of friends. they are fragile.

So I am asking for suggestions. What can we do in our movement to help in those issues mentioned above? How can we create caring communities? How can we loosen some procedures and create a more mission-friendly environment? How can we just help people make it day to day, without just the pat answer? Can we help?

What do you think?