The assignment was clear. I had discussed it in detail with a lengthy Q&A, twice. My follow-up note went to everyone with the timing and a step-by-step assignment breakdown. An emissary has followed up to see that each understood. I was confident everyone understood. When it came time to measure results, everyone failed. Not one left a favorable impression.
As I worked with each to complete the assignment, the responses were lessons within themselves.
“I worked hard. I thought I did a good job.”
“Yes, it looks like you did work hard. Did you work on the assignment?”
I came away wondering if I had listened to Divinity’s call to action. I know life is hard and I have put a lot into it. As “He’s not impressed with horsepower; the size of our muscles means little to him.” (Psalm 147.10) I find myself working on a different assignment.
“I did not understand what the ‘ask” was.”
“My apologies if I missed the reach out. Did you ask?”
It is always easy to say one did not understand, especially if one did not act on the request. As I considered my own action, I realized that knowing the answer does not mean one has taken the step to act on what needs to be done. If there is a gap, this offers us a suggestion for what needs to be done. There are no results without action.
“I missed the deadline. Do you need it now?”
One has a choice. At one extreme, care, kindness, and love dominate the actions which follow. At the other end, every action reflects self-interests. As my actions replay in the mirror in which I realize I have totally ignored my choice, thinking I can play on one end of the spectrum and, just when it matters, move to the other. Along the way, I miss life’s potential. It is in taking my ordinary life, my going to work, walking around, and sleeping life and living it out with care and kindness in each step that I respond to Divinity’s invitation.
