Mike’s Blog

Thursdays for college students are “the new friday.” For me, as a pastor, thursdays are also my fridays. I try and get ahead, anticipate needs, do some of next week’s work today.
There are at least two challenges in my work of ministry that may be similar to your work. One, you will accomplish many things you didn’t THINK you’d get done. You will not finish those things you thought you’d finish. If someone comes into the office that I didn’t expect, I am glad, but I have to set aside my expectations. I will not do what I THOUGHT I would do. I will only do what I will do. I know that sounds stupid, or tautological (who’s stupid NOW!) but it is true. Eugene Peterson, famously Presbyterian bible translator said something that I think applies. He was talking about the daily -ness of his work, all the lists he made, and how a dream changed his perspective. He writes, “I. . .started keeping a journal. At first, and for a long time, my journal contained only lists: people to see, letters to write, visits to make, errands to run. I put them int the journal rather than on scraps of paper, to give them some dignity, some semipermanence. And I prayed my lists: this is best-seller material.” (Under the Unpredictable Plant, 152-3) Peterson’s point is that the stuff of life is important. And often what we think is accidental, hap-hazard or incidental is not. An easy mistake to make, given that we are used to dictating the terms of our work or life. wrong.
The second thing that may be helpful in your work life, and something that I’ve found in Church work is that it’s feast or famine. I am either the busiest guy in the universe or it’s like after-hours at coney island. It is either Lent or July. Christmas Eve or Memorial Day. There do not seem to be many days or weeks that are moderate in their mood. Feast or famine. I have not found a solution. I don’t think there is one except to accept it. And maybe also to say, “O Lord, come to my assistance. O God, hasten to help me.” Or, “there is a time and a purpose for all things under heaven.” Saying those things give me comfort in the feast, and nourishment in the famine of my work. Maybe they will do the same for you. Blessings on this day of Work with or without Rain. mm