In 2009 I was unemployed for 7 months. I couldn’t get a job flipping burgers. Then, the day that I moved to Austin, I got a job in retail. I don’t think I’ll spend the bulk of my career in retail, but it’s also probably the most fun job I’ve ever had.
My two previous jobs had been working for churches, in position that were more focused on the details of administration than they were on serving our community or neighborhood. They were great jobs because I believed in what the organization stood for, and occasionally I an opportunity to do stuff I was passionate about. But the constant focus on administrative details was so draining for my ADHD brain, it became increasingly difficult just to keep up.
My job these days is pretty simple. I stand around in a crowded room and answer people’s questions. I help them solve problems. I help them find the tools they need to do their job, and often, create their art. As fun as that is, I just mainly love the people I work with.
After a recent meeting, a bunch of us got up on stage and rocked out. I even harmonized to my karaoke fall back Creep by Radiohead. I work with a ridiculously talented group of people, who can just grab their instrument, and starting entertaining a crowd, without rehearsal. Break time conversations usually center around funny internet videos, character development on Battlestar Gallactica, or upcoming concerts. I have never seen anyone fight, and rarely seen people angry with each other.
The amazing thing is, I don’t feel like I “left ministry.” As I heard a friend say once, “I talk about Jesus more than I ever did in an air conditioned office.” One day, I had a friend ask me to explain the movie “Passion of the Christ” to my co-workers. Another time, I spent a 15 minute break explaining the difference between single and double predestination. I’ve met almost every church planter in Austin at the store. I’ve shared stories about smuggling Bibles in China and memories of the green hills of Uganda with African missionaries.
I have one friend who, despite being very spiritual in nature, hasn’t been able to find a church in Austin. The other day he told me “you wear your faith well at work.”
It’s the biggest compliment you could give me.
I’m thankful for retail. It doesn’t exactly fulfill the needs of my bank account. But it has been achance to live out my faith in the radical nature of the Kingdom of Christ. And it’s been a lot of fun.
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