In our culture of drive-throughs, calendar apps and the need to develop outstanding resumes, periods of inactivity are dreaded-- perhaps feared? Ant it is in the middle of this culture, where I have been thrust into seemingly endless inactivity. My hear drops when asked what I do. I hate the "occupation" discussion. Simply put, I feel small and insignificant.
"Nothing. I don't do anything."
Yup. Small and insignificant.
And in the middle of this smallness and this insignificance, I've learned to wrestle through some mighty identity issues. Stripped of typical terms like "student" and "leader in...", I've struggled to pin down what I think I am and who I am... knowing that ultimately, I am not what I do, but functionally, that's all I've known. No, I am not meaningful because of my university coursework. No, I am not important because of my connections.
My jobs as front desk volunteer, visitor at an elderly home and a friend to a young five year old are not what give me meaning.
My dignity is (and must!) be deeply rooted in Jesus and Jesus alone. My ministry loving the elderly or my young friend is meaningful because of the God I serve. My ministry serving Lucas-- however mundane it may feel day in, and day out-- is powerful because of the God who brought us together.
Yes, I still stammer and feel flustered when asked what I do, but the true fact of the matter is that question is not my definer. Who I serve and what I love is a much more telling question.
"Nothing. I don't do anything."
Yup. Small and insignificant.
And in the middle of this smallness and this insignificance, I've learned to wrestle through some mighty identity issues. Stripped of typical terms like "student" and "leader in...", I've struggled to pin down what I think I am and who I am... knowing that ultimately, I am not what I do, but functionally, that's all I've known. No, I am not meaningful because of my university coursework. No, I am not important because of my connections.
My jobs as front desk volunteer, visitor at an elderly home and a friend to a young five year old are not what give me meaning.
My dignity is (and must!) be deeply rooted in Jesus and Jesus alone. My ministry loving the elderly or my young friend is meaningful because of the God I serve. My ministry serving Lucas-- however mundane it may feel day in, and day out-- is powerful because of the God who brought us together.
Yes, I still stammer and feel flustered when asked what I do, but the true fact of the matter is that question is not my definer. Who I serve and what I love is a much more telling question.