Looming Projects

Shawn King / Pastor of Creative Arts

Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash

Have you ever had one of those projects that just feels like it will never end? I just finished a project that I am lovingly calling, "The Murphy’s Law Project." Every possibility of mistake and coincidence seemed to come together in a mess of sighs and disbelief. It was full of things coming undone, materials suddenly splitting apart on their own, and issues that have never been a problem before suddenly setting back the project by weeks.

Many times throughout the process, I found myself just asking, "Why? Why is this happening? What could I have done differently?" Sometimes the answer is clear. Be more careful. Slow down and take time. Other times, the only answer we get is, this is a time of learning.

I needed to learn, or at the very least be reminded, that life is about process. And what that means is that we walk through things in community where we experience honesty, humility, joy, sorrow, frustration, and friendship. At one point in this project it looked like the clients and I might all leave frustrated. But, as we worked in humility and grace together, we found friendship and did life together. During the project, many days were filled with stress, but looking back I am so grateful for each and every interaction.

What are the looming projects in your life that maybe just need a change in perspective? Maybe God is producing a friendship that will be a witness for Him or an encouragement for you. Maybe it’s an opportunity to learn endurance or trust. I pray you feel the sigh of relief, not only for finishing the project, but for seeing God at work each and every day.