While several of my friends are truly enjoying this time of social distancing and staying at home, others are finding themselves frustrated these days. I have several reasons why I fall into that second group.
First, most of my resources are in my church office, and I’m constantly needing information that, at least for now, is no longer at my fingertips. Second, I have no idea how to proceed with much of my work. I prefer to be a planner, but the future is uncertain and the data changes daily. Expectations only last long enough for me to begin one course of action before those outlooks change and my track is altered. Most days I’m kind of lost. Hence, the frustration. When I was young and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I don’t think lost and frustrated made the list. I may not have been certain of my career path, but I feel like accomplished and important may have crossed my mind.
Recently I had a conversation with someone who was working with me to accomplish some important goals. Quickly I became painfully aware that my lack of knowledge was going to hinder our progress. To make matters worse, many people were depending on our achievements for their own well-being. Rather than slow us down (and potentially create some devastating results), I simply owned it. “At this point, I’m officially in over my head,” I said. “This is not what I know how to do.” I braced myself for a response.
I was talking to a very busy and important man whose life is filled with his own set of difficulties. My challenges would have to be lower on his priority list. He had every right to send me packing altogether. Was he going to be too busy in his own work and unable to put in the time needed? Totally understandable. Was I going to be left to figure it out? Totally terrifying. Would he at least be able to recommend someone else who could help me? Please Jesus.
His answer came very quickly: “I don’t mind doing this at all. Why don’t you just let me handle it?” Tears of thankfulness and relief welled and threatened to spill onto my keyboard. Jesus had heard my cry and provided me with this precious soul and his servant’s heart.
“Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave – just as the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.” (Matthew 20:26-28, CEB) Scripture tells us that we are created to care for others, and Jesus explains that the gift of example is powerful. Just as Jesus gave of himself, my colleague (no, my friend) showed a willingness to be a role model worth imitating. He could easily have been too important, too busy, too uninterested. Instead, his humility kicked into high gear, and he worked hard in a way that benefited our church and glorified our God. Truthfully, people’s very lives were changed because this one man chose to follow Jesus and be a servant to others.
Yep, now I know what I want to be when I grow up.
In Christ’s service,
Pastor Beth
First, most of my resources are in my church office, and I’m constantly needing information that, at least for now, is no longer at my fingertips. Second, I have no idea how to proceed with much of my work. I prefer to be a planner, but the future is uncertain and the data changes daily. Expectations only last long enough for me to begin one course of action before those outlooks change and my track is altered. Most days I’m kind of lost. Hence, the frustration. When I was young and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I don’t think lost and frustrated made the list. I may not have been certain of my career path, but I feel like accomplished and important may have crossed my mind.
Recently I had a conversation with someone who was working with me to accomplish some important goals. Quickly I became painfully aware that my lack of knowledge was going to hinder our progress. To make matters worse, many people were depending on our achievements for their own well-being. Rather than slow us down (and potentially create some devastating results), I simply owned it. “At this point, I’m officially in over my head,” I said. “This is not what I know how to do.” I braced myself for a response.
I was talking to a very busy and important man whose life is filled with his own set of difficulties. My challenges would have to be lower on his priority list. He had every right to send me packing altogether. Was he going to be too busy in his own work and unable to put in the time needed? Totally understandable. Was I going to be left to figure it out? Totally terrifying. Would he at least be able to recommend someone else who could help me? Please Jesus.
His answer came very quickly: “I don’t mind doing this at all. Why don’t you just let me handle it?” Tears of thankfulness and relief welled and threatened to spill onto my keyboard. Jesus had heard my cry and provided me with this precious soul and his servant’s heart.
“Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave – just as the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.” (Matthew 20:26-28, CEB) Scripture tells us that we are created to care for others, and Jesus explains that the gift of example is powerful. Just as Jesus gave of himself, my colleague (no, my friend) showed a willingness to be a role model worth imitating. He could easily have been too important, too busy, too uninterested. Instead, his humility kicked into high gear, and he worked hard in a way that benefited our church and glorified our God. Truthfully, people’s very lives were changed because this one man chose to follow Jesus and be a servant to others.
Yep, now I know what I want to be when I grow up.
In Christ’s service,
Pastor Beth
RSS Feed