2019 was unsatisfactory from a work perspective.

Perhaps you can relate to some of these glimpses of my year at work:

I spent a year working on a project which apparently others higher up knew was impossible from the start.

I scored a permanent role that seemed like it would be wonderful, but it turned out I worked harder, for less money, than if I had stayed a casual.

I did some writing which was published (for no financial reward), which was then picked up and published in other places (also with no compensation). When I commented on this to the second publisher, they stopped using my work (a double penalty).

I have multiple roles, and one of the people who hired me resigned, so I took a while to work out who my new manager was, and my first discussion with him was about workload. When I asked for a second meeting about workload he accepted my ‘resignation’.

I contacted a human resources department about a role ending only to find that all records to do with my employment had gone missing.

A couple of students (in different colleges) have really struggled with my teaching content and/or method and given me poor reviews.

Now, I could whinge about this, which is a favourite past-time of all Australians, or be defensive, but my research suggests that the workplace is a primary place of spiritual formation.

So, a much more useful question to ask is: How is God forming me through these experiences?

Even as I begin to ask the question, one of the realisations is that the negative experiences have disproportionately impacted on the positives of my working:

Wonderful speaking opportunities in several cities in Australia and overseas.

Receiving income that has enabled me to provide for my family and be generous to others.

The opportunity to deeply impact others through teaching and mentoring.

All that I have learnt as I developed material to teach three new units.

Building relationships and networks globally.

A deeply satisfyingly increase in the size of my personal library.

A second insight is the way that the setbacks have forced me to depend on God by:

Reminding me that I am not in control of my destiny.

Questioning any arrogant assumptions in my teaching.

Submission to prayer, and seeking scriptural wisdom.

Thirdly, each of these disappointments have been developing my character:

Patience, as I become disenchanted with individuals and institutions that I ridiculously expect to be perfect.

Resilience, as I deal with frustrations and hindrances.

Persistence, as I contend with roadblocks or apparent failure.

Self-esteem, as I learn to measure myself by more enduring qualities rather than superficial objectives.

Discernment and wisdom, as I navigate perplexing organisational cultures and the mystery of human interaction.

Finally, if I tally what I have learnt, and how I have grown, then I am encouraged:

There is a confidence in my purpose and message that continues to grow.

I have learnt how to write more effectively; taking time to craft the document, and to value the particular audience more than I might have in the past.

I’ve been forced to reconsider how I work out what God wants me to do. Did I imagine that God wanted me to follow a certain path? Was I asking God to just rubberstamp my own plans? Have I seriously waited on him in prayer?

I’ve also had to think through how the paid work mosaic fits into all the other areas of my life. What are the relative priorities? Has God been carving me out some respite from other areas of pressure?

Then there are all the pockets of knowledge and skills I have gained: deeper thinking on leadership and mentoring and integration; how to appreciate and work with people from other cultures; developing the crafts of speaking and preaching; and the ability to record and edit lectures for online teaching.

I have greatly developed in my understanding of how complex organisations work.

We often see work as a necessary evil, or as something that just continually disappoints; however, seeing work as a tool for discipleship, is much more positive. It enables us to work with God as he develops our character, points out faults in us or others, and increases our awareness of our need for deeper relationship with Him.