I come from a long line of water well drillers. My family even has a picture of my Great-Great Grandfather drilling a well with a horse. Now that’s old school. I worked in the industry off and on for over 10 years and enjoyed most of it. I’ll be honest; working outside during the winter in Michigan was not my favorite. Also, I’m kind of a sissy because I was developing tendonitis of basically every joint possible. In 2003 I transitioned out of water well drilling and into student ministry. I know that I’m exactly where God wants me as a student pastor but there are some things I love and miss about drilling. The biggest thing I miss is just that…”things”. There is a huge difference between working with people and working with things. Let me explain.
When you’re repairing an old well it is perfectly acceptable and often necessary to beat the heck out of it with a sledge hammer. This is especially helpful when the repair is not going well and you need to let off some angst. With my children, we call this throwing a tantrum. Let me just say that I throw an excellent sledge hammer tantrum. I’m guessing it would be frowned upon to unleash the sledge in the church office. When you get upset in the church office you have to do something constructive like take a walk. Lame.
Secondly, dynamite. Yes, I’m being serious. Back in the day, water well drillers would regularly obliterate underground obstacles with dynamite. I cannot adequately put into words the euphoria a person experiences when touching off a half-stick of dynamite. I’m still trying to figure out a way to incorporate dynamite in student ministry…
As much as I fondly remember working with things rather than people, I’ve chosen a different path. I’m a student pastor and not a well driller. I don’t work with things. I work with people. Although I often miss wanton destruction I have to admit that for me, only student ministry stirs my soul. God has wired me in such a way that only people can bring me to tears–both out of sadness and joy. Only student ministry and more specifically, students and volunteers bring out the passion that God built into me.
I’ll always be grateful to the people who pointed me toward my life’s passion. I’ll always be thankful that God guided me to the mission He designed me for. Sometimes people drive me crazy but I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I know there are days when you want to throw in the towel. Sometimes people can break your heart or betray your trust. Maybe that happened today. In these moments, remember what it is that stirs your soul. The fact that you as upset as you are betrays how much you care. You’re right where you’re supposed to be.
