Yardwork vs. Woodwork

My neighbor loves working in his yard. That’s obvious as soon as you glance at it. On the other hand, I don’t love yardwork, something that is probably equally apparent. Part of my problem is that yardwork is never-ending. Mow the grass, and it looks great for a couple of days, but it needs to be mowed again in a week. The same is true for trimming hedges, raking leaves, or pulling weeds. I like the satisfaction of a completed project. In that sense, woodworking would be much more satisfying for me than yardwork. It may take a while, but you end up with a product that lasts for years. Most of the readers of this blog are in some sort of ministry leadership position, a role that is much more like yardwork than woodwork. Your effort to lead people into growing relationships with Christ is a never-ending process. They may take steps forward, but then they slide back. You have a great campaign that raises the spiritual temperature of the congregation, and then it cools off in the following weeks. Sometimes, after a day of hard work, you look around and wonder if you’ve made any progress at all. If you’re looking for an easy answer to this challenge, you won’t find it in this blog. If you can only be satisfied with the permanence of woodworking, it may be time to revisit your calling. But before you do that, start by recognizing that yardwork is necessary and valuable, and consider changing your understanding of “success.” Effective ministry leadership is not about producing a permanent “product.” You, and those that follow you, will always be imperfect vessels and works in progress. I do enjoy the green grass that comes with the arrival of spring and the clean look of a freshly mowed lawn. In the same way, we should all find joy in those moments when we see people take that next step of faith. And even when those steps are hard to see, we can listen for the voice of the Master saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>