Towards the end of the day I realized that I still had not received the results. So I walk over to check on how things were going. What a surprise! There were three people around a desk in deep discussion. Now I'm really curious as to what is going on. What I find is that the report is still not done and it's now being coded with automated notification by email and some other 'cool' things. And oh by the way, we added some other things that would be nice to have too.
You can imagine my dismay. What I wanted was a very quick way to get to a specific set of facts that could be used in gauging the health of our new system. What I was going to get was this report with some fancy wrapping paper and sparkling bows. By the way, when I did get it, some of the important facts were missed. Too much time was spent on how 'cool' the technology was and I needed the facts which were totally missed.
When I began to question the developer, I found that his intentions were in the right place. But he wanted something that had "his name on it" to have the latest and greatest techniques. He wanted to make sure that his peers knew, when they would maintain the program, that he used the newest technologies available to him. Bottom line, his pride got in the way of getting the job done and producing the exact results that I was looking for.
As I sit here this morning thinking about this, my mind ponders the similarities between work and the kingdom of God. God has spoken to my heart. I know what he wants. So I go off and begin to do those things. But I don't see the results that I am sure God showed to me. I'm even frustrated because I am getting some results but nothing like the vision God gave to me.
So I wonder. Have I done exactly what God has asked of me? Have I done it the way he told me to? Or, have I in my pride, tried to make the assignment cooler than what it truly is because of what my peers will think or say? Is God looking down on this work and asking "What is this?" Is God wondering what in the world is taking me so long to accomplish a simple assignment?
The passage in Matthew 7:21-23 comes to my mind. The Message version of the Bible says it like this, "Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here."
I am humbled again by the way God takes the simple things in my life and speaks directly to my heart. His word goes but right to the root of the issue, doesn't it?
Pride. It's a trait that you want to have. We should take pride in our work, our appearance, and our heritage. We should value who we are and what we have accomplished in life. But that proverbial fine line is there. Pride can become the biggest monster in our closet too. It can destroy who we are and turn us into ugly, self-centered people that no one wants to be around.
When it comes right down to it, God is really looking for simple obedience to his direction. He's not looking for us to embellish on his plan. He's looking for people who will just obey.
So I ponder these things. Is the reason for the lack of results because God doesn't recognize the program? Have I taken the direction of God and tried to embellish it to the point that God no longer recognizes it? Is God looking down on my work and asking "What is this?"
I am humbled again by the way God takes the simple things in my life and speaks directly to my heart. His word goes but right to the root of the issue, doesn't it?
Pride. It's a trait that you want to have. We should take pride in our work, our appearance, and our heritage. We should value who we are and what we have accomplished in life. But that proverbial fine line is there. Pride can become the biggest monster in our closet too. It can destroy who we are and turn us into ugly, self-centered people that no one wants to be around.
When it comes right down to it, God is really looking for simple obedience to his direction. He's not looking for us to embellish on his plan. He's looking for people who will just obey.
So I ponder these things. Is the reason for the lack of results because God doesn't recognize the program? Have I taken the direction of God and tried to embellish it to the point that God no longer recognizes it? Is God looking down on my work and asking "What is this?"
I have mentioned to several developers of late that they need to remember that the in the lifespan of an application 75-80% is maintenance of the application. When you add new cool features and new cool techniques you usually make maintenance harder. I recommend you keep it simple and to the point of what the client wants. The most important thing is to understand what the client wants. When you know what the client wants try to not over deliver or under deliver. You are not the client and there are reasons a client may not want the cool new feature. Even if finished in time there are things you might not understand.
ReplyDeleteThe same goes with living for God. We need to stop sometimes and keep our lives simple and to the point. Find out what God wants. If you have not heard an audible voice then read his word. He gave us plenty of instructions there. Next we need to not try to add the new cool fads of religion. We need to follow what God wants not what we think he wants. If we try to over deliver we are out of God’s will. He may have a reason for where we are or what he has asked us to do that we do not know. I am sure Joseph would have been happy to be out of prison but God had a plan. Abraham and Sarah tried to help God but that was not God’s plan. Follow God’s plan for your life even if it does not seem cool. You never know where you might end up some day.
Nathan
Nathan, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think there's a lot to be said for the KISS method. Sometimes we try to over-think God's plan. What was it the Bible says about adding to or taking away from the Word? Something about not being from God?
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks for sharing!