Something Is Terribly Wrong

Enough already.

In the past few years, friends & colleagues of ours – leaders we admire and respect who have worked hard to make a difference in the organizations they care about and in the life of the world – have:

• quit their jobs without a back up plan because they just couldn't take it anymore;
• died of a heart attack;
• given up trying to make a difference and are hoping to hang on just long enough to collect their pension;
• started rehab for one addiction or another;
• called it quits on life. Literally.

All of the people on that list are between the ages of 40-55. And all of them work in the church.

We're not saying it sucks everywhere, for everyone. Hopefully, it doesn't suck for you. But it is hard not to conclude that there is something terribly wrong with the way a whole lot of people are doing life and work today.

It doesn't have to be that way. 

If you are having the life sucked out of you right now by:

• somebody else's criticism and/or expectations of what you are supposed to do or be;
• that little voice in your own head telling you that you don't measure up and won't unless you (fill-in-the-blank);
• a pile of urgent but ultimately meaningless tasks on your to-do list;
• worry over not having enough even though you have plenty;
• the pressure to be more (e.g., successful, attractive, credentialed, Googled, whatever);
• a sinking feeling that what you're doing and who you are just doesn't matter;
• or whatever...

...then, listen carefully to this. In this life and in your work, your call is to do no less and no more than this:

• Be who you are;
• See what you have;
• Do what matters.

That's it. That's all. Are you listening? 

Read those three things again. Think about how each one is connected to the other two. Read them together so they sound like this: Be who you are and see what you have for the sake of doing what matters. Add your own ending. We do. Sometimes we say it like this: Be who you are and see what you have for the sake of doing what matters to God and to the world that God so loves. 

Now take each piece apart again. Try reflecting on them one at a time. What would it be like for you to really be who you are? What can you do to practice really seeing what you have, in any and all circumstances? What really matters and what would happen if you did that every day?

Be. See. Do.

No less.

No more.

Please.

Comments

[LaDonna Thomas]

For all of us who are returning from Post Easter vacation... and those who've been plugging away anyway... this is a great reminder about keeping the "main thing" the "main thing".

[Kelly]

Amen.

[Sara Barnaby]

We all expect quick results. If a major life change happens, and it has happened to many, many people over the last two years, we expect to right ourselves quickly. We expect to find the "main thing" quickly. But that might not happen. Most times it is a long process. Somewhere in this Be See Do mix needs to be patience with ourselves and others. That could be part of the Be part.

[Ivy]

I can't help think of a fellow seminarian who just lost a beloved campus pastor at a Lutheran college. She will be going Sat. for the service. I may be wrong, but suspect that may have prompted this recent post of yours. It is certainly a word in season for all of us. Thank you.

[Prkanderson]

This is such a simple and heartfelt post. Thank you. After hearing Kelly speak at the New England Synod Assembly and following ARE, I put those three lines next to my office door. I pass them every time I leave the office. It helps. Thanks for all your good work and for caring.

[Kelly]

You're welcome. Take care of yourself, out there.

[Chris]

Kelly,
Great words. It has been hard hearing sad news. In the world. In the church. Among colleagues.
"Do what matters." Good advice.

Thanks for the Word of Gospel.