Two cultures

"When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!" (Judges 5:2).

This is a description of the ideal situation, is it not? National leaders who truly lead; citizens who serve the nation with great hearts for the national good. "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," and all that.

My sister-in-law came to visit me last week from her new home in Silver Springs, Md. When the economy threatened, she left a good job in the private sector in Florida for the greater security of a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

But don't ask me what exactly she does. I tried several times to get something out of her and she kept insisting she doesn't do anything. What do you mean you don't do anything, I pursued. I pretty much sit around all day, she said morosely.

Having cut her eye teeth in a fast-paced environment of snappy deadlines, and being by nature energetic, my sister-in-law was not prepared for the culture shock of the difference between employment where your job depends on hard work, creativity, and a willing spirit, and employment where your job is secure despite your indolence. She doesn't cotton to watching the hands of a clock make circles, even if she's getting paid for it.