Just do your job

Early every morning my partner or I walk through all the properties we manage. We feel it’s important to have “eyes on the ground” as it were.

About three weeks ago, I was in the passenger elevator when I noticed the floor indicator lights were not working. The replacement of all indicator lights is under a contract for all our elevator maintenance. We pay $2300 a month for elevator maintenance in this building. I made a note to call the maintenance company.

As I worked through my “to do” list, the phone rang; it was a satisfaction survey from the elevator maintenance company. I told him I wasn’t very satisfied since we have had continual on-going “simple” problems. The maintenance company has not carried out the basic maintenance procedures as required in the contract.

Within the hour, our elevator company representative, a young lady named Leslie, called. She wanted to bring her supervisor and have a sit-down meeting to discuss these problems. I told Leslie, “We don’t need a meeting, waste numerous man hours. All I ask is that the bulbs are replaced and all agreed to terms of the contract are adhered to.” Promises were made, assurances given; it wouldn’t happen again.

On my early rounds Monday, I noticed the indicator lights had not been changed. This was the third instance Monday morning when sub-contractors were not adhering to terms of their contract.

I called Leslie again except I wasn’t as nice as the first time. After that, supervisors called, vice presidents called, meetings were suggested, incentives offered. Much time was wasted, tempers and emotions frayed and all I want is the indicator lights changed! Please, just change the indicator lights, just do your job. Please, I’m a simple man with a simple request.

Spin doctoring and fluff and mush are a major part of our business world, our society and sadly, even our churches. If I bring a simple down to earth “tell it like it is” sermon, sometimes I feel it is not taken well but I am to preach the truth not conduct a popularity contest. As for me, I need my toes stepped on once in a while; I welcome it. I personally feel that it’s ok. A steady diet of “toe stepping” is not good either but we love “spiritual mush.”

Spiritual mush is rooted in an easy faith; all the blessings but no sacrifice. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33


Let’s tell each other the truth. No spin doctors required. Let’s just do our jobs. No fluff, no excuses, no corporate gobbledygook no mushy psycho-babble.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” And in James 5:12 it says: “Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.”

Amen.