Tag Archives: Chaplain

God in my Workplace- Leaving the 99

One of the biggest wrestles I continue to have as I step away from paid “full time” ministry is feeling that I what I am doing is not enough. I mean I went from focusing on the things of God most of my day to spending most of my day thinking about construction.

Even in my time as a Hospice Chaplain (which in more ways then one was a perfect fit for me, my family, and who I believe God is calling me to be) was filled with appointments and conversations about God. In many ways being a Chaplain was safe. My confidence and trust was still in what I was doing for God. It was obvious that God was using me as a chaplain.

In many ways I still want to put a number or measure the impact my faith is having. I want to be able to say today “I” did this for God. Here is the interesting thing. God is working in my workplace. No I don’t have daily stories to tell. I can’t say this person prayed or trusted in Christ. BUT GOD IS WORKING!

As I hear the stories of others and have a chance to speak the truth in love, I see God in my workplace. God is moving.  Yes it looks a lot different then what I am used to, but I can still see God at work in the lives of others. And yes, God is using me.

Who am I to say where I have the biggest impact? I serve a God who tells us He is willing to leave the 99 to search for the 1. I don’t know what God is doing. I don’t know what the future holds. But I know that God is in my workplace and I am so thankful that He is allowing me to see that He is there with me. I am not alone in my Workplace. God is there. God cares about my coworkers. God cares about my customers. God cares about me!  He is proud of me and my willingness to leave the 99 to spend time searching for the 1….2….3….or however many people He wants to use me to impact.

God I thank you for Your presence in my workplace. God help me to continue to believe that Your Light can shine in the midst of the darkness. Help me to believe that this community that I am now apart of can change. God help me to be faithful despite how I feel!

Transitions Reveal What Really Matters

Currently I am transitioning into a new job as a part time Hospice chaplain.  I am being challenged in so many different ways. I am learning that so much of what we spend our time thinking about really doesn’t matter as we sit before deaths door.

Much of our theological and doctrinal discussions fade, although important, are no longer as significant. It seems that as people begin to transition from death to life the relationship that we have with God and others matters most.  Are we at peace with our beliefs about God? Are we at peace with others? Have we lived life the way we desired to live?

As I sit and meet with patience and their families I am able to reflect. Over the past few years I have begun to view the Scriptures differently. I read to learn about God. I read to learn about people. I read to discover how I believe God is leading me to live. I confess that I don’t read the Scriptures to prove that I am right and you are wrong. I read the Scriptures because I want God to teach me how to live no matter what circumstances I am facing.

In this time of transition I am learning that God has put dreams and desires on my heart and has given me the freedom to pursue them. As I pursue Him and examine what the Scriptures teach, I am set free to live my life for His glory.  In this transition I am learning that I have put some of the dreams on hold because of my desire to walk beside others. I want to see others realize the hopes and dreams that God has created them for and in many ways I am hoping that our dreams line up.

So instead of living into the dreams I have “waited patiently” trusting that if they are of God they will come to be. In some ways this has been good. In others ways I have been holding myself back.

I am thankful for what my latest transition is revealing. I am thankful for those who I get to walk with through transition. Now to spend more time in the Scripture and live my life for His glory, wherever that may lead me to be stationed.