STP

I was in a meeting where our Stake President at the time referred to an STP problem. My mind immediately went to venereal diseases. After further explanation, I realized he was not referring to a chlamydia outbreak in the stake but to the "Same Ten People." He was teaching us strategies to prevent the same ten people doing everything.

I'm confident this is not unique to our ward or our stake, but this is a legitimate problem. The people who stick around to clean up after the Christmas dinner are the same people who show up to every move. The people that magnify their calling are the same people who faithfully minister. The people who agree to go out with the missionaries are the same people who sign their names to every sign-up sheet that gets passed around.

I am embarrassed to say that this has caused me frequent feelings of resentment. Why am I doing more work than Brother X? Why do they get to enjoy all the benefits of the gospel without doing any work? I have wanted to not help with things to force others to step up. Although I rarely follow through because I know it will just mean more work for the other nine. I'm not too fond of these negative feelings.

I came across a FAIR podcast episode from January 2015 where Rich Millar recounts his experience of leaving and then returning to the church. Really great listen. He references a blog post where he lists 18 lessons he learned from this experience. #14 felt got me right in the feelings.

"Lesson #14: Working in the Lord's Vineyard is awesome!

I've heard a lot of people say that serving, holding callings and working in the church isn't worth it. It's not worth the time and effort. Not only does it take up your time, it takes away from your ability to do what you want. ... I'll admit, there was a time when I thought this way too. .... I thought I was getting a bad deal working in the "vineyard" while others are off playing… I now realize that life IS better and more enjoyable by actually doing work in the Lord's vineyard. The happiness and joy that comes from living a life aligned to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and serving and sacrificing for others in the vineyard IS more enjoyable than playing outside the vineyard. Working in the vineyard brings true, lasting happiness... 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.' (Matthew 16:25)" -Rich Millar

I enjoy helping and serving. I'm at a point in my life where this genuinely makes me happy. It's not all about doing your fair share or who does the most. It's about finding joy in the journey. Serving because it makes you happy.

Will there always be those that do a little more than the rest? Probably.

But if doing the work makes you happy, then I guess that's OK.