“I think I’ve taken this church as far as I can.” “I think its time for a career change.” “How did you get started? I’m thinking about doing…” Several times each year I have conversations which start with one of those three lines. Not all pastors, many are people who have been in a church I’ve served, worked with, or have attended one or more of my speaking engagements. They could be speaking about their profession, church, relationships or any number of life’s arenas.
Each one, men and women alike, are looking for a change to bring greater satisfaction. My response is to have them unpack for me what has brought them to this line of thought. Asking what I call a “Tell me more” question, without using those three words. Something as, “Can you unpack that for me? What is happening that has you considering such a move?”
In their response, I regularly hear dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction can come in a variety of forms; a leader who feels he cannot get the support needed (from above or those serving under him). For others there seems to be no challenge in his/her work or volunteerism. Whatever the reason, there seems to be an empty spot in life.
Sometimes, there is great satisfaction in the area he/she desires to change. They equate the void in life to that area. Yet, it may not be related to that area. Stan for example: Stan’s work is going great, but he is considering changing companies or starting his own firm. Stan contacted me asking how I got started.
The first issue each one of us must address is, “Is this something I have dreamed up or is this God’s calling on my life?” If not God’s calling, even if this “thing” seems to be a perfect fit for you, it will not bring the desired satisfaction and fill that longing void. The world is filled with many good intentioned people who chased a dream that failed and brought the opposite of satisfaction.
The next idea to assess, especially if this area is going so great, is other areas of their life, relationships, recreational hobbies and pass times. Though all of these may be in good standing, I want him/her to think through and examine those areas before we move on. Then I move to the area where we often find the missing link.
This missing link is often in the spiritual realm of service. Stan had taught Sunday School for years at his former church, and after transferring to his current city with his job, his family found a church that seemed to meet their needs. They attend regularly, rarely missing. But Stan had not engaged in any ministry. As we unpacked Stan’s story we found his issue was not job related, it was spiritual service oriented. Stan, like many others, connected dissatisfaction with the physical realm, when it was actually spiritual.
God created in our DNA an innate desire and need to serve others. Yet we believe to get satisfaction, we must take care of our physical desires first. Instead of always trying to satisfy your physical wants and desires, why not examine the spiritual side of your created being? This is always the real issue.
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.