Yesterday, our Human Resources office asked me to come to work.

I had opted to rest from my part time job for the month of May, and was happy when HR told me that I can be ‘floater on call,’ which will keep me in the employee pool. This is the lowest rung in the support staff ladder, but it has advantages: I can work out my schedule myself, and need not work if I am not up to it, and yet still be considered ‘employed’ and can get back to full time later without the hassle of applying again.

Well, I started on this category yesterday. Surprise! I will have to sort out, and alphabetize badges, and do similar mundane things for the next couple of weeks.

As I did my work, many thoughts crossed my mind: “Why did I say ‘yes’ to this job without knowing the details?” “I am capable of doing more.” “I should have stayed home and did some cooking – it would have been more challenging and creative.” “How can I get out of this job without being obnoxious? (it should be ‘how not to be perceived as obnoxious-’ I was already insufferably one!)

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I remembered these verses that I came across last week: “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?” (Romans 9: 20-21)

Perhaps the New Living Translation might help me better:
“No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?”

So, I told myself, “do your best at the doors that God opens for you.” If He wants me to be a common vessel, I will gladly do it, in His strength.

After the first half hour, my mind was at peace – I was cheerfully sorting out badges, and was looking forward to other similar jobs. My work will make my colleagues’ lives a little easier as they face the stresses and demands of a big meeting in a couple of weeks, and this thought certainly made my time and my effort worthwhile.