Someone pointed out to me yesterday that I have a task-oriented personality. I had to think about it for a moment, because I usually consider myself to be very relational. But I realised it’s probably true. Don’t misunderstand me, I am totally a people person. But I like to be able to feel I have achieved something. I’m organised and administrative and I enjoy working towards measurable goals. Give me a task to complete and I’m happy!
This has often caused me to look back over my last few months and wonder if I’ve actually accomplished anything, or made any kind of difference at all. But then I came across this quote:
“By joining Jesus…we learn a way of work that does not acquire things or amass possessions but responds to God and develops relationships” (Peterson p. 110).
It made me realise that if I measure my success in terms of accomplishments, or the accrual of money, or things, I’ve had a pretty terrible few months! But the good news is, as God’s children, “the character of our work is shaped not by accomplishments or possessions but in the birth of relationships” (Peterson p. 110).
I need to see that the time and energy I’ve invested in making friends during this season has been so valuable. I love, love, love people! (Well, most of them!) And I needed this reminder that its ok to make them my priority. It’s not just ok, it’s vital. The things I do and the money I make probably won’t be remembered. But the impact I’ve had on other people almost certainly will be.
As a Christian community we are transformed through our worship “from consumers who use work to get things into people who are intimate and in whom work is a way of being in creative relationship with another” (Peterson p. 111).
From this perspective, I would say its been a highly successful few months!
