Road to Maturity

As I grow older (and hopefully in maturity), I've come to realize the importance of separating work with play and differentiating how I deal with people at work, in church and at home. Of course, this is by no means being hypocritical - just handling different situations/people differently I guess.

For example, if I am to be nasty at work just so that people don't take advantage of me (she's nice, she'll do anything we ask her to, she won't get angry at us), it doesn't follow that I should be nasty in church just so people in church doesn't take advantage of me. Just because work culture is "do this pronto without being asked" doesn't mean church culture becomes "you are serving God right? So you should do this pronto without being asked." If work is similar to church, then what is the meaning of grace and mercy?

Sadly, so many people bring their work culture to church. "Hey we should be doing this man, coz it's good. Why ask so many questions? Do it, pronto." And then, there is "So and so used to serve together with me in X ministry. Not so efficient. Maybe not a good idea to ask her to do this."

Are all these really necessary? What happened to encouragement and speaking life into people? What happened to being tactful so that we do not discourage unneccesarily?

The other thing I am struggling with must be separating work issues on a case to case basis. I think I have a tendancy to label people. If someone does something wrong, I find myself saying "Ok that's it. I'm not letting her do anything anymore coz that just gets me into trouble". And then, I have a difficulty talking with him/her when it comes to other matters.

Recently too, I did something wrong at work which boss found fit to shout at. After which, I felt really bad and was really angry at myself. I was also thinking, oh gosh, she'll never trust me with anything big anymore. There goes my increment. There goes my annual review.

But, (and I thank God for this 'but') the next moment we were discussing about another matter, and yet again she entrusted me with it. So it got me thinking. Maybe we are not supposed to label people like "irresponsible", "lazy", "can't handle big things", etc just coz they've represented to be that way on occasion. Otherwise, we can never trust anyone!

And now, I'm sure we are not supposed to label people like that. I think a lot of people (including me) forget we are all human who make mistakes, and just because we see someone else make a mistake does not mean we won't make the same mistake if we were in that person's shoes. If we readily judge people and do not give them chances, and other people do the same to us, no one will never have a chance to do anything!

So yes... another day, another lesson.... on the road to maturity...