February 25th, 2014 
dsisler Each week, the church staff that I work with gathers to chat about the weekend and talk about items that need to be announced. We close with a little devotion that draws us closer to God and helps us focus on the week ahead.
Last week, we did a simple exercise to help us work through the ups and downs of our jobs.
Our executive pastor drew a triangle on a white board and then he asked the question, “What are some of the tasks you do?” As we rattled off some of the things we did, he placed a dot in the triangle.
Then he asked, “What are some of the tasks associated with your job that you don’t care to do?” The triangle was filled with yet more dots.
His next question was important. “Why do you do what you do?” The answers were glorious. “God’s calling.” “Love for people.” “To see others grow and transform.” “To encourage one another and build each other up.” “To lead others in a growing relationship with Jesus.” These were just a few of the answers.
He then drew some wavy lines across the top of the triangle and mentioned that this represented an iceberg. The “what” we do in our ministry is just the tip. There is so much more below the surface. The “why” we do what we do.
In our day-to-day lives, we find this to be true as well. We do things we don’t like to do because there is an underlying reason or purpose. For instance, we clean out our refrigerators because there could be some health issues (and science projects) due to a lack of cleanliness. Or we change the oil in our vehicles because it helps our engines run smoothly and keeps it from blowing up.
If we never look at the “why,” the “what” will never be tolerable.
Maybe you should try this exercise for yourself. It may help you to understand your purpose. It may help you to focus on what is really important. It may lead you to dismissing some tasks that are of no value.
To conclude this exercise, our executive pastor asked us to choose a couple of our “whys” and focus on them. He asked that we keep them close by so that when we face those dreaded “what’s” we’ll be able to move ahead. Perhaps you’ll need to do the same with your “whys.”
“You can endure any ‘what’ if you focus on the ‘why.’”
If you need some help with the “whys,” take a look at some of these passages. What encouragement we find in these words from God!
Romans 8:35-39
1 Corinthians 2:9
Ephesians 2:10
1 Peter 1:8-9
Have a great day today and focus on why you do what you do. It will help you get through the tedious tasks that lie ahead.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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