Paul wrote to his friends in Philippi that he had learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. I believe that God has been teaching me that too, especially when it comes to my job. I found that complaining, thinking negative thoughts, and telling people everything I can’t stand about my boss was physically and emotionally wearing me out. That mentality kept me from communion with God. I don’t know if what I’ve learned will work for others, but it has revolutionized my contentment and fulfillment with everything work related.
One person I spoke with said she is most content when she can show others the beauty of God. For her it is a kind word of encouragement, or giving 15 minutes just to listen to an elderly person, or painting someone a picture, or singing them a song, or showing mercy to some who doesn’t deserve it. What brings you joy? And have you incorporated that into your work-life, or is it just an after work and weekend exercise?
Jesus led me into those questions and brought me to the realization that I can be doing any type of work regardless of how boring, exciting, or difficult it is - as long as I can be me. For me it is constantly listening and talking to God and being able to hear Him in all situations. I love hearing God outside the church! I love speaking his heart into a corporation! Those things bring me joy! As a recruiter, I don’t get out of bed every morning excited to give people who already have jobs a new job. I get excited because I see God at work. God talks to me and teaches there.
one story:
Just last month, he taught me about faith. In the beginning of August, during one of our weekly meetings at work, I heard the Lord say to me that in the month of September our operation would put 18 people to work. That is more that we have ever put to work since I’ve been there…by a lot. I then said this publicly to my boss and team. As September came, by September 19th we placed 4 people. I figured, oh well, I missed it. Then the next two days we put 7 more people to work! Hope flickered again in my heart, but I still seriously doubted. The next week, the last week of September, by Thursday we had put another 5 on assignment. That night I prayed out of my doubt that God would give us 2 fills (bringing us to 18) the next day (the last day of Sept.). He said, “Two companies will call you and give you two people. And stop doubting what I tell you. You do hear me.” The next day, one of the calls I answered was a client giving us a placement (17). No one else called. On Monday I spoke with my boss asking if anyone had called him over the weekend (he was out on Friday). He said no, but that he got a message on Friday from a client who wanted to hire one of our people. I just laughed.
These kinds of stories have happened frequently. I don’t think they are for any real significant reason other than God likes me and wants to be my friend.
…a little more still to come.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Clients, Cubicles, and the Kingdom -- part one
This is the first of a three-post series about Experiencing Jesus in the Workplace. The past 12 months have been exciting and deeply fulfilling as an administrative coordinator trapped in an office all day. How in the world is that possible? Especially for someone who can’t wait to move overseas and change the world :). The thought to author this blog is a result of multiple conversations with various people about the frustrations of working.
The biggest life change for me over the past couple years, apart from marriage, has been my work. Since I got my first real job at age 15, waiter at a ritzy retirement home, I have always been an unhappy, unsatisfied, unmotivated, uninterested employee. Even after my conversion three years later nothing had changed. My perspective then became, “I can’t wait till I do ministry full time so I don’t have to work anymore.” Then after I grew out of that phase it was, “I can’t wait till work is over (for the day) so I can think about things of real value (ministry stuff).” And finally, where I landed a year ago and currently stand is, “God, what are you doing here? Thank you that you are interested in my work.”
I recently conducted a study of how much time I spend at work, commuting, and praying for work, and found that it occupies 69% of my time each day (not including sleep). If I view work as a waste of time, or something to fund the other 31% of my time/energy, then it’s no wonder I was so miserable in the past! I truly believe that God wants me to be seeking His kingdom 100% of the time. So that what I’ve been trying to do and it has radically transformed my workplace experience.
More to come on how…
The biggest life change for me over the past couple years, apart from marriage, has been my work. Since I got my first real job at age 15, waiter at a ritzy retirement home, I have always been an unhappy, unsatisfied, unmotivated, uninterested employee. Even after my conversion three years later nothing had changed. My perspective then became, “I can’t wait till I do ministry full time so I don’t have to work anymore.” Then after I grew out of that phase it was, “I can’t wait till work is over (for the day) so I can think about things of real value (ministry stuff).” And finally, where I landed a year ago and currently stand is, “God, what are you doing here? Thank you that you are interested in my work.”
I recently conducted a study of how much time I spend at work, commuting, and praying for work, and found that it occupies 69% of my time each day (not including sleep). If I view work as a waste of time, or something to fund the other 31% of my time/energy, then it’s no wonder I was so miserable in the past! I truly believe that God wants me to be seeking His kingdom 100% of the time. So that what I’ve been trying to do and it has radically transformed my workplace experience.
More to come on how…
Friday, September 7, 2007
Devotion and Character
Does having personal intimacy with God come before the way we treat others? I used to say that the latter was a result of the former, but now I wonder if practicing Christ-like character is way to connect with the Divine I’ve never tapped into.
Devotion – Inward; hiding in your closet to pray; thinking on the Scriptures; hanging out God to deepen the friendship.
Character – Outward; truly serving others; treating enemies as Jesus does, reflecting the heart of God by word and action.
I always believed that devotion produced character. I often prided myself in the way in which God connects with me; the way our devotional relationship transpires. I used to think it was really normal to have gold dust appear on me, to be awakened in the night by violent wind to hear the Lord’s whisper, to feel electricity run through my body every time take communion, to do two years of counseling in one night while the Holy Spirit visits me alone in my bedroom, etc. Over the last couple of years I have learned that those experiences aren’t overly common. And the way God and I relate to one another may be more “colorful” than for others. That being said, I still hold my opinion that devotion produces character, but I think something is missing.
It occurred to me that the reverse is true as well, that character produces devotion. Thanks to God and my wife, the past several months have been the most character building months of my life. I’ve had the opportunity to begin dealing with long-standing issues for the first time: anger, impatience, holding grudges and being critical. It is astounding to see the “uglies” that surface when in a relationship that cannot be cut or put on hold. So what does devotion produced by character look like anyway?
I helped someone move recently and it was the first time ever where I was so thankful and blessed to be asked. I was so excited to help out. It was a way for others to see a reflection of Jesus and the Church. I felt honored and excited. While driving home I was deeply satisfied and full of joy. I sat there with God, just being. Then the smiles and conversation flowed; it was great quality time with one another. I really think the Lord likes when we see the fruit of his work come out of us.
Treating others well should be a huge priority and a means to friendship with the Holy Spirit. The next time you exercise godly character, an action/reaction you make that has God’s handiwork all over it, try taking a couple minutes to smile back at Him.
Devotion – Inward; hiding in your closet to pray; thinking on the Scriptures; hanging out God to deepen the friendship.
Character – Outward; truly serving others; treating enemies as Jesus does, reflecting the heart of God by word and action.
I always believed that devotion produced character. I often prided myself in the way in which God connects with me; the way our devotional relationship transpires. I used to think it was really normal to have gold dust appear on me, to be awakened in the night by violent wind to hear the Lord’s whisper, to feel electricity run through my body every time take communion, to do two years of counseling in one night while the Holy Spirit visits me alone in my bedroom, etc. Over the last couple of years I have learned that those experiences aren’t overly common. And the way God and I relate to one another may be more “colorful” than for others. That being said, I still hold my opinion that devotion produces character, but I think something is missing.
It occurred to me that the reverse is true as well, that character produces devotion. Thanks to God and my wife, the past several months have been the most character building months of my life. I’ve had the opportunity to begin dealing with long-standing issues for the first time: anger, impatience, holding grudges and being critical. It is astounding to see the “uglies” that surface when in a relationship that cannot be cut or put on hold. So what does devotion produced by character look like anyway?
I helped someone move recently and it was the first time ever where I was so thankful and blessed to be asked. I was so excited to help out. It was a way for others to see a reflection of Jesus and the Church. I felt honored and excited. While driving home I was deeply satisfied and full of joy. I sat there with God, just being. Then the smiles and conversation flowed; it was great quality time with one another. I really think the Lord likes when we see the fruit of his work come out of us.
Treating others well should be a huge priority and a means to friendship with the Holy Spirit. The next time you exercise godly character, an action/reaction you make that has God’s handiwork all over it, try taking a couple minutes to smile back at Him.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Transitioned out!
Maybe I'm just a slow learner, but I'm realizing that life isn't ever NOT in transition - and it drives me crazy! From 2003-2005 I lived/hitchhiked/walked/backpacked in 20-some different countries. I was constantly on the go, from one adventure to the next. I have been living in Chicago for a year and a half now, the longest I've been in one spot in like six years. And despite my permanent residency (became official two weeks ago when I finally got an IL drivers license), the transitions have not subsided. I think I'm giving up on the saying, "As soon as this season is over I'm gonna finally have _________ (time, energy, money, etc.) to do ___________ (relax, rest, start xy, hunker down on yz, etc.)." Plan B: Get used to it, and make it work.
Moving from sunny San Diego to sunny-ten-days-a-year Chicago, having three jobs in ten months, being single for five years and then dating, which led to getting engaged (fyi the worst experience of my life and don't recommend it to anyone), which then led to marriage (great decision), and moving, and living with a female, and sharing a bathroom with a female, and a bed with a female, and on and on...with a female. Many have been fun and exciting changes, but still push the limits of my emotional reserves. Most recently, I started a new work schedule, my wife went back to school, and the two-week countdown for the Fall quarter of VLI is on.
Stability. Routines. Consistency in relationships. Maybe a weekly soccer match. Regular chats with God. A date every weekend. A sweet TV show to get attached to. These things sound so good to me. I just need to come up with a way to do them while being in transition.
Any ideas?
Moving from sunny San Diego to sunny-ten-days-a-year Chicago, having three jobs in ten months, being single for five years and then dating, which led to getting engaged (fyi the worst experience of my life and don't recommend it to anyone), which then led to marriage (great decision), and moving, and living with a female, and sharing a bathroom with a female, and a bed with a female, and on and on...with a female. Many have been fun and exciting changes, but still push the limits of my emotional reserves. Most recently, I started a new work schedule, my wife went back to school, and the two-week countdown for the Fall quarter of VLI is on.
Stability. Routines. Consistency in relationships. Maybe a weekly soccer match. Regular chats with God. A date every weekend. A sweet TV show to get attached to. These things sound so good to me. I just need to come up with a way to do them while being in transition.
Any ideas?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
