Serving in the present age

An old hymn declares the necessity to serve the present age. What that means has never had a more diverse answer. Depending on who you ask, there can be six, seven or eight named generations currently walking around. They are referred to as the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Generation Alpha just to name a few. Each generation has a different set of needs that must be met at the same time. At any given moment in a family, community, company, or organization there can be needs that are fulfilled and unmet with a single decision. Those who serve the present age have a lot to consider.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects there to be decreases over the next 10 years in the areas of services, manufacturing, and government work. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) has conducted a survey that concludes with an overall decrease for hiring. There are fewer people showing up for job or career fairs that involve education, healthcare, and government related work. Despite numerous postings for open positions, people are becoming less willing to engage in service activity.

A person who works by earning a paycheck, or volunteering, serve the present age. Whether greeters or presidents, they serve. The same people who serve are also in need of others who meet their needs in the marketplace and society. People need educators to teach, cooks to feed, healthcare professionals to heal, manufacturers to build, utilities that work, and safety officers to show up.

The Wall Street Journal recently commissioned a survey from the University of Chicago about the changing values in America. The survey paints a dim view for the future in relation to social attitudes, hope for the future and negative perspectives about economic concerns. A significant number believe that things will get worse in the next year. The challenge for those who serve is whether or not the reward they will receive equals the level of service that has been provided. How long should those in service industries be satisfied with the prevailing idea that they are underpaid and underappreciated? Low pay and tepid acknowledgement can only last for so long.

Every generation’s needs matter. We learn more by repetitiously doing things than just by thinking. Bold and creative vision includes creating new opportunities while meeting the needs that currently exist. A community that shows up for one another is one that has hope. The reality of there being a need unfulfilled must be dealt with, and should not be accepted like the old adage that says this has been how we have always done it. Discovering by doing and embracing a way forward is the key to having a positive outlook today for those who serve and those whose needs are being met.

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