Each of us plays many roles. Another way of putting this is that we have multiple jobs. I don’t mean jobs necessarily as our daily efforts to generate income. I mean the things we do that we believe are important and bring value to our lives and the lives of others.

I’m not sure how many of us sort of rank these things in matters of importance. Normally, I don’t. I just go about doing the things (or at least trying to do the things) that reflect my basic principles for living. But, from time to time, I’m reminded that I do have one preeminent job.

Disclaimer: I’m not especially good at this job a lot of the time. Such is the life of a somewhat bumbling apprentice!

For whatever reason, the nature of this job becomes more clear in times of challenge, when the world just doesn’t seem to operate like we’d wish … if we were in control.

In some ways, this reflection is an extension from yesterday’s posting on worry and how we handle it.

The naming of this job may rankle some people and it could puzzle others. I suspect that still others, who share my viewpoints, will agree with me that the performing of it can at times be difficult and, always, requires assistance.

My number one job is to point to God in all things.

So, just saying that in this culture and age can get one pegged as some kind of religious fanatic. Images of an old bearded guy on the street corner, yelling “Repent!” easily come to mind. Our modern sensibilities can be repelled by someone literally saying that God is more important than anything else and that we need to actually behave that way all of the time.

One of the reasons for this reaction is that many devout believers think that putting God above all other things is an exclusionary deal … when it is anything but. This is also one reason that belief (especially belief in the Christian God) is viewed with such suspicion or even derision, and rightfully so.

In my book, just pointing to God, as in the fact of his existence, is not really all that helpful. God is a curious being as he is not easily perceived, especially when the clues are not necessarily all of that in-your-face obvious. More importantly, it’s pointing to who God really is, in essence his character.

And God is a God of Truth and Love. Despite our cultural urges towards relativism, some things are just true and others false. Everyone actually believes this even if they believe they don’t. The key is to sift through all of the stuff and to figure out what truth is worth planting one’s flag in. God is good at helping us do that if we’re willing to listen and learn. And, despite our cultural urge to shape the concept of Love into something of our own making (including, for instance, happiness as the companion to love), this aspect of God’s character is mind-boggling in its enormous implications.

So, our job … my job … is to point to these aspects of God’s character through the ways we live our lives and interact with this world. Of course, this is where I’m sadly just a bumbling, albeit committed, apprentice.

One of the byproducts, however, in focusing on this number one job is that, increasingly and bit by bit, I feel worry dissolving into contentment. Anxiety re-channelled as hope. Fear morphing into trust. Distance replaced by familiarity.

Of course, if you were to graph this, it might look a lot like the stock market. Hey, progress for a time and then a backwards slide. But, here’s the thing about the stock market and a close relationship with God: The trajectory over time is always upwards.

Did I mention I need help with this?

The first line in one of the most famous prayers of all time, the Prayer of St. Francis, is

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

The following lines of that prayer detail how to do that but the point is that it begins with a request for assistance. This is because the doing of it can be a very hard thing.

Now, if someone were to ask me to cut to the chase and say exactly how I should perform Job 1, I would say it would be to try to be a blessing to others, to especially (but not exclusively) those who are broken or suffering. Just as importantly, it is to treat people in ways that are surprising to them. In ways that are kind, compassionate and considerate … out of the ordinary. And, one of the most surprising things to people is when they see someone handle true adversity with calmness and hope, not fear or worry.

I know people like this. Yes, they struggle as we all do but there’s something about them that is radiant in the middle of adversity. This is how I would define faith. It is not a blind belief in an unproved and unseen thing. It is a quiet yet firm resolve that there are greater forces at play than the thing that is being so disruptive at the moment. This faith is based on fact, not conjecture.

I can only hope that when my greatest challenges arrive, that I can respond in ways that others will pause and wonder where that comes from. And that my actions are truly reflective of a heart and countenance that come from God.

I believe that we are all eternal beings and that, when we understand what that actually means, the doors of heaven can open up to us right now in this life, in this place. I’ve seen it with great clarity, which to be honest, is a very big help in doing my job.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Help me to focus on what is really important which is who you actually are and what that means for all of us, whatever our beliefs. As great a leap as it is, help me to have, in some measure, the heart and hands of Jesus, he who best pointed to you and sowed blessings wherever he went. Giving thanks in all things.

Amen.