During my second season of working for the Houston Astros, I witnessed the worst and strangest game I’ve ever seen.

Astros starting pitcher Scott Elarton threw fifty-five pitches and gave up nine runs in two innings. Nineteen San Diego Padres went to the plate and loaded the bases three times. It was a bloodbath, and it got so bad that the Astros moved their short stop to the pitcher’s mound, their catcher to 3rd base, another short stop to 2nd base and their right fielder to 1st base.

Why do I tell you this story? Because it highlights the fact that being out of position can get ugly. We all want to be in the right place, doing the right things. But sometimes we get out of position and for that, Achievers, there is much grace.

We know that our purpose as followers of Jesus is to make Him known. (See: 2 Ways We Get Purpose Wrong) But what about our calling, the unique plans that God has for us? You and I have the same purpose, but a different calling.

As an Achiever, I’ve wrongly-approached my work/calling in the following ways:
* I have stayed too long in a position that wasn’t a fit because I didn’t want the challenge to beat me.
* I’ve taken roles that I didn’t like just to prove to myself that I could survive in that industry.
* I’ve felt a gentle nudge to leave a job, but decided not to because I didn’t want to be a quitter.

You probably noticed that the bullet points above are not the right parameters to determine one’s calling. One of the pitfalls we have as Achievers is we’re too busy working for the wrong reasons to pay any attention to the right ones.

The Achiever’s Obsession

As Achievers, I believe that we are obsessed with the concepts of purpose and calling because we’re fearful of making mistakes. We want to know that what we’re doing is the right thing to do. That doesn’t sound all bad until we start peeling back the onion layers of truth.

The truth is that we’re obsessed with being right because:
1. Being wrong tarnishes our reputation
2. It proves that we aren’t as in control as we think we are
3. It reinforces that we aren’t perfect, like we desperately hope to be

God’s Freedom for the Achiever

God doesn’t want us finding our calling or living our lives out of the fear of making mistakes. Love leads while fear bullies. Here are some freedom reminders for Achievers:

  1. Free yourself from the need to be right all the time. Friend, we will be wrong. We will make mistakes in choosing our calling just as we will in living our life. This wrongness may tarnish how people view you. So be it. May we care more about pleasing our Heavenly Father than pleasing others.
  2. Free yourself from the need to be in control. You aren’t designed to control all the things. Paul is clear in Colossians 1:16–17 when he writes that in Jesus all things were made, that He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Your name isn’t in that verse and neither is mine. May we remember the name of the One who does keep it all together.
  3. We are not perfect at least not how the world defines it: without mistake, ideal. The Biblical definition of perfect is complete. May we remember that we are not error-free, we are want-free in Him.

Two Things to Remember

  1. Remember that you go in grace and peace, knowing that your God is in the business of redeeming mistakes you’ve made or will make. So if you take the wrong job, stayed too long or are afraid to quit, God uses those times too. He uses them to grow His kingdom, to grow your faith and to give you good. So even if you’re a short stop on the pitcher’s mound, God can redeem that.
  2. Nothing can separate you from His love. Your mistakes don’t separate you. Your non-performance doesn’t separate you. Your inability to keep it all together doesn’t separate you. Your falling apart on the inside doesn’t separate you. He is your dad, and He loves you for you. So even if the game is a total disaster, it’s your Father God who pats you on the back and drives you home.

Whatever you are doing today, go in grace and peace. You know that He has gone before you, is filling in the gaps you left behind, and has paved the way for an amazing tomorrow. Amen, Achiever!

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