After a week of constant challenges, feeling very under appreciated, and just ready to “throw in the towel,” I asked my seven year old daughter, “Do you think daddy does a good job at his work?” She responded with, “Oh yeah! You're cool!” After chuckling, I asked her why she thought I was cool. Her answers left me speechless. She proceeded to tell me all of the things I used to know about myself and my career, but have somehow forgotten along the way. Her answers were so innocent, un-tainted, real, and I loved it.
When living something day-in and day-out, it can begin to lose its luster, frustrations can sit in, and perspective can very easily be lost. You forget the reasons you're there and begin to see the negative in everything, which causes you to immediately default all emotions and reactions to the negative.
As production directors, we are naturally cynics. If you're honest with yourself, you'll know this to be true. Sometimes we have to be. Our jobs require us to stay ten
steps ahead of any situation, always learn from our experiences, and question everything, which often forces us to see the negative. But unfortunately, this can taint our outlook on our jobs, our goals, and our lives.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12
Think back to when you first started working in this field. You had dreams, aspirations, goals, you wanted to make a difference and nothing was going to stand in your way. You looked at fellow co-workers who had been working in production or in the church for a while and saw how the job had changed them, and vowed to yourself to never let that happen to you. Through the years though, that spark, that fire may have become buried from challenges, stress, being under-appreciated, and much more. Yes, it may be buried, but it's not extinguished.
Approval is something we all look for, especially in our field because we work behind the scenes. We aren't out where people can see what we do and appreciate it, but does that really matter? It's a natural human tendency to want some recognition, but honestly we do what we do because there are still people who need to hear about the love of Christ, and it is our responsibility to use our talents and gifts God has given us to do everything we can to help make that happen.
Today, I challenge you to look beyond the responsibilities and tasks that await you and ask yourself, “Why do I do, what I do?” If you really think about it, you'll find that it's the people. It's the lives changed forever, and the fact that you had a small part to play in that.
Make the decision today when you walk into your job, to not think about the adversities awaiting you, think about the gift God has given you to be able to work where you work and do what you do. Change your perspective when performing a task and instead of saying “I have to”, say to yourself, “I get to.”
The next time you don't think your job is important, or you aren't getting the approval or recognition you think you deserve, remember that God knows everything you do no matter how small you think it may be. You are a part of a master plan He has designed and are making a difference in the lives of so many people, people you probably don't even know. That alone should give you the assurance and the fuel to keep that fire lit in you to go through any situation the day may bring. Look at every challenge as an opportunity to re-kindle the passion and love for what you do and where God has placed you. Remember… “We get to.”
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12
