I finally found my desk (and Jesus, too)…

I wasn't born with the highly organized, administrative gene. Some people have it, some people don't.

I don't.

If you do, God bless you…we tend to make each other crazy.

Some people make messes, some people don't. Some people take things out, some people put them away. Some people like stacks, some people are bothered by stacks. End of story right?

It was for me…until recently. I think I'm coming to Jesus.

Three things are driving me to my knees:

• I'm in over my head.
• Recently, I couldn't find my desk, or anything else for that matter.
• It's become a stewardship issue.

I'm over my head

It's no secret that I am amazed that God would choose me to lead anyone, much less 10,000 people on a weekly basis. Then there is the issue of staff. We have a wonderfully dedicated, loyal, and talented herd of cats, nearly 200 strong, that I am expected to give leadership to daily. Often I wake up thinking, "If they only knew". (I think they do, and follow anyway.) The volume of information, decisions, and relational lubrication that I am expected to process is mind numbing to a messy, stack maker like me. I'm definitely in over my head.

Where is it?

Often I can't find what I need, when I need it. I know I wrote it down somewhere. I remember I said that in a message, but which one. I'm sure it's in one of the books I've read, I just can't remember the title. The answer may be in one of the stacks on my desk, but I'm not sure which stack…besides, I'm not at my desk right now. This is an exhausting, mind numbing exercise I go through daily.

It's a stewardship issue

Someday I'll stand before God and give account of all that he's given me. My organizational accounting will be brief, but I'm still responsible for what I've got. For years I've taught people that "It's not my gift" is not an excuse. Just because you don't have the gift of mercy doesn't mean that you have the liberty to be a jerk. You are responsible to use what you have responsibly, even if it's not very much. Besides, I believe that God has given us all we need in order to be successful in accomplishing his will in whatever he's called us to do. If I need to be more organized to be better at what I do, then it's a self leadership issue, not an "I don't have that gift" issue. I may not have the gift, or ever write the books about it, but I will answer to God for what I have done with what I have…no excuses.

So, I'm on a quest…a journey of sorts.

My desk is clear, my inbox is empty (over 900 plowed through just yesterday), my car is clean, my brain is refreshed…we'll see how long this lasts when I re-enter the real world on Monday. It may be an illusion but I'm certainly "hooked on the feeling".

We'll see.

Next time I blog, maybe we'll talk about some amazing tools that are available for guys like me.

What about you? What keeps you sane?

Comments

[Pete Wilson]

I struggle with this as well Greg. It's certainly not my gift but I've learned a few tricks over the years that at least keep my head above water.

We've been in our current location for two years and I just unpacked my books and office supplies about 3 weeks ago. :)

[Daryl Strickland]

Great post! I am currently rereading a book you recommended three years ago at the ARC conference, "Organized for Success." It's a great tool...we are even going through it as a staff in Jan.
Have a Happy New Year!

[Ashley]

I was forced to take "study skills" my freshman year in high school (long time ago) But when I was there I learned exactly ONE thing. It takes twenty one days to make a habit (which actually strikes me as odd that the daniel fast is twenty-one days) anyways... You clean your desk, house and car and if you can keep it clean for twenty-one days you have the habit. So since it is fast time and it's only a day late maybe you should also try a reverse fast and ADD something to your daily routine. Cleaning or organizing. Everyday before you leave your house clean the coffee cup you used, put the paper on your desk where your wife won't throw it away. Before you get out of your office at work put the notes in a pile. Check the inbox and just clean up a bit. No need to be martha stuart, however. Then before you get out of your car after your drive home, grab the lunch sack, or coffee mug you took with you or the jackets etc. and take them inside. That way when you come home your house is peaceful. When you get back in your car in the morning you are in a state of organization, which allows your thoughts to be more focused and when you get to work, you can find the notes you made the day before waiting to be turned into an amazing sermon that will save thousands. If only I could do this myself :) Anyway just a thought. HAVE A GREAT DAY and GOD BLESS YOU.

PS your last easter sermon saved my life. Thank you.