Sacred Monday

    We dread Monday Mornings. It's the end of the weekend, the end of "our time" and the beginning of "their time". Mondays remind us that our life is in a rut, days filled with meaningless work, going no where in particular. We're bored, restless, and aimless. We don't like where we are or where we're going, and we feel powerless to change. We even give Mondays special names like:

• Manic Monday
• Blue Monday
• The Daily Grind
• The Salt Mines
• The Rat Race

   Monday is critical because it's the first day when the life we want smacks into the life we have. We create a Relevance Gap  when who we are, our dreams, aspirations, gifts and talents, have little impact on what we do. We live for the most part compartmentalized lives, often with tension and stress.      I see this a lot in religious circles but I know it's there in political and business circles too. It happens when good meaning Christians worship in the spirit of love, charity and forgiveness, but don't live that way when they leave the building. The power of the Good Samaritan parable gets lost when a tired waiter or waitress takes 10 minutes longer than you wanted. Our love of Christ never connects to the grocery story clerk, the frustrating co-worker, or the over whelmed schedule. We've created a Relevance Gap.  Monday is the name we give to this hard reality. Monday insists, and insists rather loudly, that life is about choices. Our choices determine the life we live, who we are, and where we end up.   Sounds easy, but its not. There are three things working against you. (1) Fear of the Unknown - any attempt to change your current circumstance will be met with resistance, fear and anxiety.  You may not know what to change, how to change or in what direction. This is to be expected, so don't think you've encounter an insurmountable problem. List the issues and begin to collect the answers. Just one step at a time. Take some action even if it's not the perfect solution. (2) People's Resistance - you can expect other to question your sanity. Most people despise change and so when you consider changing your life, it make others take a hard look at theirs, and that's not comfortable. (3) Your Responsibilities - you are where you are because of certain desires, wants and interests. You've taken on obligations, you may have debts to pay, you may have people who depend on you.  Sometimes starting over from scratch may not be - entirely - possible, but it certainly can be altered over time. Make a plan to honor your responsibilities AND your dreams. Find the Sacred Monday by focusing on these three attitudes: (1) Your Convictions (want to)  What do YOU want your life to be about, what values shape your decision, or are something  you would fight for? "When you blame others, you give up your power to change.”  Dr. Robert Anthony Most of us just fall into Monday because it is the path of least resistance. We may be in a job we hate but it pays well; we're in a relationship that's broken but its better than being alone; or we're in because we were afraid to do anything else.  What does your job, marriage, church, community mean to you? Is it just a paycheck, a routine, or an expectation? I worked for over 15 years as a PhD research chemist for a Fortune 500 company before making a change to full-time pastoral ministry. I know it sounds crazy! The hours are longer, the pay is lower and the people sometimes less  gracious. But I wanted my life to make a difference beyond keep stock prices up, increasing margin or quarterly reviews. If change was going to happen, I was going to have to make it.   (2) Cost of Progress (have to)  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." [James 1:2-4] Surprised? Did you think fulfillment would come without reaching for it? Character requires some stretching, testing and  growth. Are there difficult people in your life (duh!)? Perhaps they're there to develop your kindness, gentleness, or self-control.  Great leaders have all been tested and grown through adversity, David, Moses and Jesus to name a few. If you're facing a challenging situation, ask yourself why this person, situation, or gets under your skin. How can you deal with less than perfect people? How should others deal with a less than perfect you? (3) I'm blessed (get to) Consider what happens when you change these sentences: I have to go to work.                               I get to go to work. I have to get up in the morning.         I get to get up out of bed today. I have to live in this house                   I get to have a house in a peaceful land. Cicero once said "Gratitude is not just the greatest virtue, but the parent of all others." You will find your Sacred Monday when you know what is most important to you (convictions), your willing to pay the price (cost) and your feel exhilarated to be moving in the direction of your heart, dreams and spirit. What do you find most challenging about your Monday Morning Reality check? What would you change about Monday if you could? What is holding you back?