Lessons from the Job

Today is my three month anniversary as the Director of Women’s Ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel Rolling Meadows Campus.

A lot of people questioned my sanity when I first took the job. For a moment, I did too.

But I felt a deep sense of conviction and calling from God to take this challenge on. It’s a challenge I didn’t need financially. It’s a challenge I didn’t seek personally. It’s a challenge I knew would demand too much – too much time, too much energy, too much stress.

But I still took it.

It was a leap of faith at the time and I’ve been free falling ever since.

If I sound like I’m complaining, I’m not. If I sound like I’m bragging, believe me when I say I have many other things to brag about, but this is not one of them. If I sound sorry, I’m not.

My sense of calling is stronger than ever. At times that has been the only thing that has kept me. Given an option, I’d pick the one that would land me on a beach in Tahiti for the rest of my days, or simply in a small cozy home in Napa. To most people I seem driven and high strung, but in the depth of my soul I am a seeker of solitude, a reflector.

I want to share with you 4 major lessons I’ve learned in the last 3 months that apply to any person in any job at any time. You may have become a mom earlier than you thought, and feel overwhelmed by the constant presence and need of your little ones. Or you are a professional exhausted by the strain of your boss’ demands, still waiting for your dream job. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live, take these 4 principles and etch them in your brain forever. They are your key to freedom.

I can’t do everything all the time. It’s true. Time runs out. There are 24 hours in the day, and most of us have to sleep at least 5 of them. That doesn’t leave us with a lot! Start with the most important things and work your way down.

I can’t please everyone all the time. No matter how hard I try, someone is always upset. They think the event is too big, or too small. I talk too fast, or I don’t say enough. I forgot this thing or that. Someone is always unhappy with the way things go. It’s life. Stop trying to please everyone and focus on pleasing the only one that matters. His opinion is the only one that counts.

I can’t be everywhere all the time. You wouldn’t know that if you look at my schedule! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself over committed. I don’t have a personal secretary, and it’s likely you don’t either. Learn to say no, and keep track of your appointments. Don’t over commit. You’ve heard that sermon before. You know the gig. Now live it. Choose well.

I can’t have everything all the time. The more you have the more you need. That is the reality of our crazy materialistic western culture. You don’t need it today, whatever it is. You’ve lived long enough without it, chances are you can go another few years without it still. Practice contentment and enjoy what you do have.

That’s it. It’s as simple as that. Understand these truths. Accept them. Don’t deviate from them.

Life is a series of choices. The more responsibilities you have, the more choices you will need to make, and the harder it gets. I’ve found that someone will always be unhappy. I’ve come to understand that something will always get forgotten. I’ve seen my humanity as I’ve never seen it before.

And I’ve come to rely on the only one who can do everything all the time and be everywhere all the time like I’ve never relied on Him before.

I can’t. But He can.

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