It is more important to think about who you will be rather than what you will do once the pandemic ends.
It was a great privilege just to be in the class. This five-day course had some fancy title but it does not matter much now. I was attending this class at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of VA. The Professor had a Ph.D. from Harvard and had been teaching at Darden for over 45 years. He said a lot of things that week, but I will never forget the very first words out of his mouth.
He said, “…you know, I believe it is a privilege to be able to think.” Those words hit me like ton bricks back in the Spring of 2014, and let me tell you why. I was working a full-time job. I was in a developmental program at work. I was serving in multiple capacities at church. I was teaching a college class. I was striving to be a good husband and a Dad. Then of course there was the yard, the house, and the many other things clamoring for my attention. No matter all this activity, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. Can you relate?
Then as now, there is very little time to think. Well…that’s not true anymore is it? Millions of Americans, and untold millions around the globe have seen their nonstop activities come to a grinding halt in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. We now have plenty of time to think. Here are some things to think about.
I find it interesting listening to people talk about what they are going to do once things go “back to normal.” I heard a woman say, “I am going to put on my tennis shoes and run all over the church with excitement once we can gather again.” I heard a guy on the radio say, “I am going to take pleasure in putting on a shirt that has buttons for a change.”
What about you? Will you attend a sporting event, go to a movie, hang out with your friends or go to your favorite restaurant? What will your post-pandemic “go-to” activity be? Allow me to offer a thought here. It is more important to think about who you will be rather than what you will do once the pandemic ends.
I retired from government service at the end of December 2019. During my last five years, I had the opportunity to coach over a hundred emerging government leaders on their professional development and careers paths. I also had the privilege of working closely with a number of high-ranking federal executives.
Both emerging leaders and executives -in most cases- had one thing in common. They had great clarity on what they did, but little clarity on who they were. This observation held true for those with a range of 10-40 years of service. Few could pin down a defining purpose for their lives. Humorously, two executives told me, “I have no idea what I am going to do when I grow up.” Not surprisingly, as they pondered retirement, they had no idea of what they would do next.
A life that is more rewarding, fulfilling, and impactful awaits those who know who they are and understand their purpose. Mark Twain said: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” If you want to know the answer to the “why” question, go to the source.
The Bible makes it clear that God created all things. It is recorded in the Psalms: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” (Ps 139:13-14)
It seems plausible to many that God created them, but what if I told you that God has a plan for your life? “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) To know Jesus is to begin the journey of self-discovery.
You can know Him by confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9-11) If you do so, the Bibles says that you are saved. Easter celebrates the resurrection. If you have received the free gift of God’s salvation, past or present, please read on a little bit further.
Seize the opportunity to reset for a better future. Dr. Robert Redfield, Center for Disease Control (CDC) Director is reporting that the virus is beginning to stabilize around the country. Ask God who He created you to be. Ask God what His plans are for you. After asking these questions…listen. In fact, keep asking and seeking Him and you SHALL receive an answer (Matthew 7:7-8)
A more rewarding, fulfilling and impactful future awaits you. Take advantage of the remaining days of social distancing and restrictions to refresh and reset. It is a privilege to be able to think.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
