There is an old saying that says it is easier to tame the lions than to prod the turtles. I guess that answers the question as to why Barnum and Bailey has never employed a turtle trainer. The turtles may represent steadiness in certain children’s stories—Tortoise and the Hare—but in reality, lions are exciting and seem to get things done. Solomon said it best when he wrote ^“Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.” (Prov. 10:26 NLT) A perfect illustration of laziness gone awry is Sweden’s loose view of sick-leave. Sweden has such a liberal “sick-leave” program that when the National Social Insurance Board did a survey, 40% of Sweden’s population believed it was acceptable to skip work because they felt tired or had trouble getting along with colleagues, and 65% thought a stressful work situation was also a valid reason for calling in sick and collecting pay. Once the turtle sticks its head back in the shell, there is no going forward.

So it is with the church. Some people who are so effective at work and play in their “secular field” seem to be so ineffective and lazy in their “church field.” They accept a job to teach, lead, or serve and they do just the bare minimum; just enough to get by. When the proverbial clock strikes five, they are out the door. They do not go the extra mile nor do they even take their job that serious. Where is the passion? Where is the excitement? Do they really like the simplicity of terrarium living? We need lions. I would rather spend my time training the wild and outrageous than prodding the stuck-in-the-shell, get-nothing-done, and go-nowhere turtle. Let’s make 2009 the year we tame lions instead of prod turtles.

Mt. Harmony Men Build Deck
on Nearby Trucker's Chapel

Our Kevin Logsdon is a Truckstop Ministries Chaplain.

Reports, Reflections, and Photos from our
2008 Rio de Janeiro Medical Mission Team
September 26-October 5

Audio of the Rio Team Report, October 19

Reports, Reflections, and Photos from our
2007 Rio de Janeiro Medical Mission Team