Finished.
Posted by inWorship | Under Just Thinking, Religion, Worship Thursday Sep 4, 2008When do we know we have done enough? Do you ever feel done?
I’ve felt this way in my position as a Worship Pastor. On one hand, ministry never ends. It’s never complete. It’s a journey. On the other hand, there are tasks I handle that have a deadline or a finished product.
I am a person that like to accomplish something. I loke to have a finished product. Yesterday and today I have been painting and moving into a new office. It feels good to near the end of this task. Although this task is quite insignificant.
Here’s where I have to balance. Ministry, is about the journey. It is about people. It is not about process. Sure, process and procedure is great, but only 1 part in loving God and loving people.
I need to continue, in every aspect of what I do, to evaluate. Am I only focused on getting the job done? Or am I enjoying the journey?
What do you think? Can you go through life without placing an expected accomplishment on your relationship with Christ?
wow, that was a good reminder to me. i’m very goal-oriented. i like to check things off my to-do list. i like to know things are happening and being completed successfully. and you’re so right. it’s not really like that in ministry. in the small details yet, but not in the big picture people-related kinda stuff.
alece’s last blog post…today’s special: laughter at my expense
this is hard for me. I live my life with a start and finish. with clear goals. with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. With people and with God, you can’t live that way. Relationships move beyond rules.
JudiFree.com’s last blog post…Prepare Ye the Way
Brent,
Great call. Yes, God had a feeling of “I’m done” when he created the universe and took a break. Setting pragmatic goals and stopping when you are “done” is God-honoring. That attitude of course needs to be paired with the base knowledge that God is always working on us and we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Billy Chia’s last blog post…5 Benefits of Solo Leading Worship
Alece, the small details are very important, but it’s easy for me to feel I am doing ministry iive got the details covered. That’s where I can fail in this.
Judi, I agree. I think we can be programmed to look at everything like it is a competition.
Billy, I believe an organized life can be honoring to God as well as family and friends. Knowing when to rest is huge and definitely Biblical.
Are we ever really done? To borrow a designer quote I like, “The habit of calling a finished project a design is convenient, but wrong. Design is what you do, not what you’ve done.”
I think that’s true of many things in life. We’re on a journey and things are constantly changing. That’s part of the joy and frustration of life. But it’s also what makes it interesting!
My goal is to be mature enough to not embarrass myself. EVER. Don’t think it will happen this side of heaven.
tawny’s last blog post…Learning to Trust HIS Faithfulness
Brad, I like that statement ok design. And it truly speaks to our life in progress.
Tawny, there’s no hope
I totally relate to this. And to answer the question: I want to go without that, but I so much haven’t. Of course, you just got me thinking about that because I hadn’t thought about it before! Thanks for that!
Amanda’s last blog post…Compassion Friday