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Just for the record, I don’t like working with kids. I like being with children one on one and interacting with them on an individual basis. I love being a mom and getting to homeschool my own kids. But if I never had to teach or work with a group of children again, I wouldn’t miss it a bit. “It’s not my gift,” I argue when opportunities for children’s ministry arise. And it’s true. It isn’t my strength. And, frequently God raises up people who are good at it while allowing me to take jobs that are more in line with the ways He has gifted me.
But, there are other times when He asks me to step out of my comfort and enjoyment zone. There are times when the only way for me to move into the place I belong is to be in an less than enjoyable place for a little while.
There is a truth that is gradually working its way into this thick skull of mine. Sometimes we have to be willing to do things we would rather not do in order to gain the opportunity and credibility to do the things we are passionate about.
I worked for a couple of years teaching young children at Mother’s Day Out before I moved into what was an incredibly fulfilling position in the office. But, thanks to my time in the classroom, I had an understanding of what it was to work with the kids day in and day out. I had an understanding of what was needed and how those needs were best met. I could better accomplish my job because of the positions I had held in various classrooms.
Recently I coached a KG and 1st grade Upward Basketball team. Anyone who interacted with me leading up to that first practice knew how I felt about it. I felt trapped. I felt overwhelmed. I was not happy. Three months later (and one month after it has all ended), I can look back and see that I had the beautiful privilege of getting to know five precious little boys. I don’t know what opportunities may arise from this experience, but I know that God put me in that position, He helped me get through it, and He will use it.
There are many things I am passionate about – many jobs I would love to just jump right on into. But, I can’t do them without open doors from the Lord. I need His preparation, His training, and His establishment of credibility. And so, there are things I must be willing to do in order to let Him do His work in me to open doors for those passions.
And so, I ask you. What are you passionate about? What “I’m not so good at that” or “I really don’t enjoy doing that” tasks are you willing to undertake in order to gain the credibility and preparation needed to do what you are passionate about? It might be less than pleasant in the process, but the results will be well worth the temporary sacrifice.
Not Quite Ordinary 