Admin, Admin, Admin...

Hello, friends! 

Meg and I have been doing a lot of work lately.  The problem is that it's work that isn't exactly the most exciting in the world.  We're working hard, day in and day out, doing tons of admin. 

Hanging out with students (read: telling them about Jesus, developing them into leaders, and putting out whatever fires they start in their personal lives because they are college students) is a majority of our work but it isn't the whole thing.  There are meetings to be had with other staff.  There are relationships to be built and appointments with current (and potential) ministry partners.  There are reports to be filled out, emails to be written, and things to be planned.  It's sort of like an ice berg; all you see is really 10% of what is really happening. 

Truth be told, I like admin, just a lot less than I used to like it.  Maybe it's because I have more responsibilities now.  Maybe it's because there are more students to see.  Maybe it's because I prefer talking to typing.  Either way, the admin still needs to get done and the summer is usually the best time to do it.

I was talking with Meg the other day and we think that one of the reasons why we've been kind of low energy this summer.  We think that part of that is because we are extroverts, meaning we get energy from interacting with people.  Since we've been doing all this admin, sitting in a coffee shop, around people but not actually interacting with them, it's a little tougher on our bodies than during the school year when we can hang out with students more. 

Lately, all this admin has gotten me thinking about Brother Lawrence.  Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite Lay Brother during the 17th century and the inspiration for the book "The Practice of the Presence of God".  Brother Lawrence spent most of his life as a cook and a shoe repairer, things that don't exactly seem like they would light the world on fire.  What is so amazing is Brother Lawrence's mindset.  His belief was that washing dishes was an act of worship.  Peeling potatoes was an act of worship.  Cooking and cleaning were both acts of worship.  Pretty much, everything was an act of worship and a way to grow closer to God. 

What I would love is to have that same mindset.  I would love for every email I send to be an act of worship.  I would love for every report I fill out to be a way to give glory to God.  I would love for planning for meetings to mean that I grow closer to God and who He is. 

So, as Meg and I continue to do admin, my prayer is that we will be able to be energized, not by the work itself, but by the fact that it is something God has given us to do and a way for us to be in relationship with him. 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam