Humbling Moments

This week marks a milestone that I didn’t see coming.

I am starting a new job at our local Chic Fil A.

I’ll start out as a team member as they train me in their way of doing things. Eventually, the plan is for me to become their catering lead that will liaison with local corporations and individuals with the hopes of growing their impact and connection with our lovely community of The Colony, Texas.

Working fast food at age 39 was not something I planned on; but, it’s something that I am starting to accept as a way for God to provide for our family as I continue to wait for what’s next in church ministry. After all, CFA being closed on Sunday is super helpful for a pastor who is still filling in and preaching for other congregations on Sundays all over the metroplex. Not only will I have Sundays off, but it’s also comforting to know that it’s an organization that has Christian roots and core values.

“Starting to accept.” That’s the honest truth.

Part of me is excited about the prospect of learning new things and getting to know a bunch of great people—I’m already impressed with the few people that have helped me through the interview and onboarding process. I know that this job will grow and challenge me in tons of helpful ways that I am sure that will be very helpful long-term. I also know that there will be parts of the job that I don’t enjoy, things that will be boring and tiresome: my trainers have already promised me that there will times when I’m overwhelmed or frustrated. I’m sure that they will prove spot one.  

So how does all of this relate to “hugging our cactus?”

Good question!

The Downey Speech that this website’s name is based on (search on our site for the various summaries of the meaning behind “hug your cactus”) contains a line that I keep pondering:

Hugged my cactus Long Enough…[to] become a man of some humility…

“Long enough.” Not in a rush. Growing in both patience and humility is often a painfully slow process.

A friend of mine recently remarked that he loved to pray the end of Psalm 139,

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!

He would pray these two verses by imagining that he was on a surgery table and God was the surgeon with a scalpel, ready to cut out any cancerous sin out of his heart and soul. He would then conclude,

God, don’t let me off this surgery table until you’re finished.

In short, don’t let me short-circuit your work of humility in my life with my impatience. Help me endure, help me to hold on and continue to trust you, especially when it hurts.

So, I am praying that my season working with CFA is a good one, that it’s “long enough,” that I gain some of humility, that I learn about myself and that I learn to let go of a little more of my pride and ego.

But what about you? Where do you sense that God is challenging you to hold on “long enough” to become a person of humility? What’s a time in your life that God humbled you, allowing you to grow and mature into a better person?