Solve Your Problems

One of the things engineering has in common with spiritual work is that someone is paying you to try and solve their problems.

The problem with both professions is that people are often quite fond of their problems—they’ve had it for so long, they’ve gotten used to it, they just aren’t sure you can really help, maybe it’s okay if they just learn to live with it, you’re presenting it wrong, they don’t like your attitude.

As an engineer, I’ve told people before that I am simply not more persuasive than a paycheck. If I am ever arguing against someone’s livelihood, I have already lost. I suspect the same is true of spiritual work. I am not, by myself, all that persuasive. I’m certainly not more persuasive than someone’s money, favorite pass time, or desire to be comfortable.

One of the things Papa often says to us about spiritual work is that all he does is give people tools. Everything else is up to you.

To put it another way, a spiritual worker cannot afford to control or care what you do with the advice or tools you’re given. This may not be the time. They may not be the person. This may not be the life. None of those things are under the control of the spiritual worker.

I’m looking forward to getting to a point where I don’t get frustrated when I’m asked to solve something that the person doesn’t actually want to solve.

Being real with you: it still annoys me.