Sailing the Deep...

This past fall I nearly lost my job.  My university requires that we submit an annual reappointment packet.  I roll my eyes at and whine to my coharts at other universities (who need only submit a packet every other year) about this task every fall before finally sitting down and writing a 10 page, single-spaced summary of the past academic year.  The previous year I had received the normal (?) feedback of "Dr. Bearded is on course for a successful transition to an extended term contract" with minor comments on my packet such as "We, the committee, would like to see more detail in the goals and objectives found in his course syllabi."

This fall, for whatever reason, things dramatically changed.  Two of the seven voting on my packet voted to have me terminated with several others indicating they may not vote for me in the coming year unless things dramatically change.

Robert is a homeless man in his early 50s who has been attending my church for several months now.  Recently he's begun to show up for Sunday school and, depending on his mood and state of mind (largely based on the previous night's activities) will actively participate in the discussion.  Today he was all over the place with many of his comments, although accurate and well thought out, having absolutely nothing to do with the subject at hand.  Despite a fair amount of rambling this morning, one of his comments was not only relevant to the discussion, it was one to reflect on.

This morning's discussion revolved around the topic of work and having a purpose.  More specifically, it dealt with having a God-centered perspective on our activities that, for better or for worse, often define us as individuals.  The lesson was an interesting one dealing with our purpose in life and the multitude of items that we can take pleasure in (Note: yes, it was emphasized that if we focus on any one item too much that we run the risk of creating an idol in our life).

Robert's comment that found a home with me was the analogy of a ship at sail lacking a rudder.  Without this piece of equipment, the sailor is unable to hold direction as the ship is tossed back and forth and thrown off course at the mere whim of a soft breeze or gentle wave.  To stay on course, one must have a known destination and a rudder to guide us through the tempest.

The early days of this past October have equally humbled and frustrated me through sleepless nights that persist into the present.  I have been blown off course; it's as simple as that.  My destination remains the same, but the location from where I set out has not even if I have once again obtained a rudder.  In other words, as I step out into the unknown the journey is likely to look much different from what I anticipated it would at the onset.