Contributed by Darren Lim • Jul 22, 2025
The sermon ended with a powerful reminder that: our seasons may change but the purpose remains the same. This message struck me deeply as I have been navigating through a rough patch in my middle management role. Managing a small team of 15 specialists presents constant challenges. We have faced missed milestones, performance and funding challenges and wrestled with morale and behavioural issues. These myriad of issues often feel overwhelming and lead me to question my purpose in this position and even consider throwing in the towel.
I have been singularly focused on performance output, driven by the constant push for performance at break neck speed by the higher management, but completely oblivious to the wellbeing of my team. I have been driving them hard so that I must appear uncompromising and maybe even inhumane. In fact, one of my leads hesitantly reminded me to recognize the team more for small wins or proactive behaviours. I was inclined, at that time, to respond that such behaviours are a professional expectation and was a given but I now stand corrected by the Word of God to demonstrate the Kingdom values of Love and Joy: Am I a person who inspires and challenges my team to grow or am I a taskmaster with the bat to push and punish?
The word “excellence” also hit a chord, given that it was one of the two words in my job title. I realized that excellence devoid of God’s purpose, wisdom and perfect timing can be taken to the extremes. This often translates to living up to exacting standards of perfection, an unwavering commitment to the goal or mission and being highly critical about everything and everybody. I have often been comforted by listening to God’s Word on the drive to work and saying a prayer asking for God’s will to be done at my workplace just before stepping out of my parked car. Yet, I then shift into battle mode for the rest of the day without Jesus, only to pray and reflect at the end of the day. It is as if I left God in the car, go off to war – or rather work – and only reconnect with Him after the day is done to share how my day went.
Lord, I am sorry for shutting you off when I start work and excluding you from the present workplace situation. In doing so, I have not allowed Your power and presence to be felt through how I demonstrate Kingdom values and step up to role model Your love for me. I pray for Your Spirit to create pause moments throughout my day so that I can draw upon Your wisdom. Nudge my heart to, like Daniel, fervently seek you on my knees in prayer for breakthrough. Help me to singularly focus on Your eternal purpose for where You have placed me instead of chasing mindless deadlines. Amen.