What Would You Do If You Didn't Do What You Do?

I love my job at the church, that is to say, I love being a pastor. There are some who hold it in entirely too high a regard. Not that I don't think it is a big deal, I do. In fact I see it as an honor that may not last forever. I may be in ministry for the rest of my life or God may call me to another profession tomorrow. I feel like I have had a pretty good handle on the blessing that it is to do what I get to do for a living. I won't argue, it is a blessing. But my perspective comes from knowing what others don't know. I didn't get this job...the Lord did.

I was twenty-one years old. I was an ignorant, cocky, insecure idiot. Yes, the church was the size of a life group when I got hired eight and a half years ago but still, I wasn't good enough to get this job even then. But the Lord knew that my being hired was not nearly as much about then as it was about now. How does an inexperienced student get a job like this? It can only be the Lord. It hasn't been easy. It hasn't always been fun. It has, though, been something God has used to mold me into the man I am today. Sure, I love the opportunities that I am afforded by being on Pastor Robert's staff but what I love more is who I have become. I could have ended up anywhere after college, ANYWHERE! But I ended up here. With a front row seat and a lot of undeserved favor I have had the opportunity to watch what God is doing through Gateway Church. I would not trade it.

Holly and I have a friend who lost his job and we were talking about him last night. She randomly asked me, "What would you do if you didn't work for the church?" I didn't even hesitate. I said, "I'd go work as an assistant pro at a nice golf course or a bellman (a job I previously held in college at the Arizona Biltmore and still view as the best job I have ever had besides this one) at a high-end resort. Yes I said a bellman. I know it would be a hit to my ego at first because all of the people around me would be whispering about how I went from ministry to "manual labor".

This job is a gift. I know it is. Especially after being a busboy, bellman, graveyard security guard in the worst part of Phoenix, weight room attendant, driving range ball-picker-upper, I understand what a gift this is.

If I had to stop doing what I do today I would be grateful for all I had gotten to do. Thank you Lord.