Duty to God

A Scout takes his word seriously. He knows that when he says the Oath, “I promise to do my best to do my duty…”, he means it. However, as a Chaplain for both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, I see the promise to “do my duty to God…” taken with less sense of importance as other elements in the Oath and Law. As our founder, Sir Robert Baden-Powell stated, “We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it.”

                Every Scout will tell you that they have a “Duty to God”, however, most cannot tell you how that plays out in their Scouting life. I know of Scouts who attend church regularly and serve in whatever way they can. These Scouts may pray at each meal, attend vespers at camp and read their Bibles. Yet, to be honest, most of this is due to family influence more than Scouting. By-the-way, that is how it should be anyway.

“No man is much good unless he believes in God and obeys His laws.  So every Scout should have a religion... Religion seems a very simple thing: First: Love and Serve God. Second: Love and serve your neighbor.”

Sir Robert Baden-Powell

(1857-1941)

Founder of the Boy Scouts

                I know of many other Scouts that see their “Duty to God” as important as keeping the campsite clean or making their bed. It is something they do because they are expected to do it. It has little to do with spiritual matters in their life. Again, many of these Scouts learn their feelings toward God from home and family rather than from Scouts.

                So, what is the problem? The problem is that our spiritual life, whether you are a youth or adult, is key to our success and wellbeing in life. If we neglect this factor, we risk the ability to have a solid moral foundation. Without that foundation, how can one truly follow the Scout Law?

                Again, our founder, Baden-Powell said this about the importance of religion: “Religion is essential to happiness.  This is not a mere matter of going to church, knowing Bible history, or understanding theology. Religion . . . means recognizing who and what is God; secondly, making the best of the life that He has given one, and doing what He wants of us. This is mainly doing something for other people.” Duty to God is not something that a Scout earns or works toward until it is achieved. Duty to God is the same as the Scout Law, it is a part of who you are and how you live.

                Each Scout needs to discover just what his “Duty to God” is to him. How does he serve God and others? What does he believe to be true and why? The BSA does not dictate what “believe in God” means to each Scout. The BSA is non-sectarian and recognizes all religions. Yes, I come from a Christian perspective on this, that is because I am a Christian. Do I personally believe that any religion is okay and will lead you to God? No, I do not. However, that is a discussion for another blog.

                We all need that moral compass in our lives that knowing and following God gives. As a Scout or one who believes in and tries to follow the Scout Law, we know that to truly be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent, takes more power than we have in ourselves. Doing our duty to God is following His teachings, serving others and living a life that reflects that reality in us.

                Whether you are a Scout, a Scout leader, or even a non-Scout, doing your “Duty to God’ must be a part of your daily life. True success is not what we gain or how much we have, it is in who we are. The nature of humans is to think of ourselves first and do what is best and most convenient for us. When we do our “Duty to God” we think of others first and do what is best for them and we follow the path God has laid out for us in life.    

You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey