Love the Work You Do
Written by Jackie Kropp, Justice & Witness Ministries Liaison
Weatherford, Oklahoma
Our final article in a series on the theme of “Love.”
WEATHERFORD FEDERATED CHURCH, OKLAHOMA - Do you love your work? It’s a question many of us wrestle with as work takes up a significant part of our time on Earth. Permit me to do what I do best: suggest a book. Start with Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Plan for the World by Timothy J. Keller. Some of Keller’s tenets are that excellence, creativity and passion in the workplace can be acts of worship. This book changed my life, helping me understand my calling in terms of higher, holier purposes. I may not be an explorer or an adventurer but I am proud of what I am: I am a Librarian.[1]
In graduate school, we are taught how to craft elevator pitches for ourselves and the work we do. We were given ninety seconds to relate to someone to whom you’ve never previously spoken the best of why we do what we do. For my elevator speech, I started calling myself an “information missionary.” My job is to bring the good word of good information to every tongue, tribe, and nation. I think that libraries should co-opt the UCC’s famous motto, “Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” In broader terms, we provide access to print and digital resources equitably, create physical and virtual spaces for the exchange of ideas and building of community, and curate reputable and factual information. Even though I put my work into religious terms, it hadn’t occurred to me while at school that the work I would be doing would be holy. That came much later, through events large and small: teaching the parents of a deployed soldier how to use Skype; counseling a young teen volunteer who had been taken advantage of by an older man; even the small, joyful moments where I see the enjoyment of a patron loving one of my book recommendations.
Most days, I’m not crusading for the ideals of librarianship. In fact, most days are spent reflecting the love of God in my dealings with others. Giving grace to the person who has been asked for information six times and has failed to do so, letting go of my desire to use sarcasm when a community partner I have called eight times finally returns my call. On the absolutely worst day of it, I still love my job passionately. In it I am able to use my knowledge, strengths, and abilities to serve God. My hope for you, dear reader, is that you can find meaning and love for the work you do. Find passion and enthusiasm for the unique contributions you can bring to the Kin-dom.
[1] If you get this reference, know that we should be friends. J