Flawed Execution

“Clutter and mess show us that life is being lived.” ~Anne Lamott, American nonfiction writer and novelist (b1954)

John sat nervously in the posh waiting room, fumbling with his Smartphone. His shoes were polished to a lustrous shine. His shirt was freshly pressed and his suit had only been removed from the dry cleaner’s bag that morning. The job description, along with his resumé, lay on the chair next to him.

He knew he was the right person for the job. John had a spotless work record and excellent references. This was his big opportunity to move up. Suddenly an interior door opened and two men stepped into the room. He recognized Bill, the company VP for whom he hoped he’d be working. The other one was an older man. His sports coat and tie didn’t quite go together and his hair was a bit disheveled. John thought he detected scuffs on his shoes.

Bill finished his pleasantries with the man, shook his hand, and then said goodbye. “I’ll call you later this afternoon, Matthew,” he said as the man exited.

The VP turned to John. “Are you ready?” he asked. “Absolutely,” John replied, trying to appear nonchalant.

They made their way through a series of hallways, arriving finally at Bill’s modest office. John was invited to take a seat at a small, round conference table. Bill offered him water or coffee. John declined politely. With that, Bill sat down at the table and the interview began.

For the next 45 minutes John regaled his interviewer with stories of corporate wins, flawlessly executed projects and well managed operations. Near the end of the interview Bill remarked, “Wow, you have had a very successful career so far, but tell me about a time when things went wrong and how you dealt with it?”

John’s mind went blank. He hadn’t anticipated such a question. Besides, who wants to talk about the things that went wrong in your career? He certainly didn’t. Panic set in as John stumbled through a couple of attempts to answer the question; none of which hit the mark. After several minutes of “circle talk” he simply stopped.

Bill wrapped up the interview cordially and, after asking John if he had any questions (of which he had none), escorted him back to the waiting room.

In the waiting room Bill shook John’s hand. “John you are obviously very competent and have a bright future, but I don’t think you are the person for this job.” “I’ve decided to give the position to a man named Matthew.” “You mean the guy who left just before my interview?” John blurted out.

Bill read the surprise on John’s face and in his voice. “Yes,” he replied. “And here’s the reason.”

“I have no doubt you would run a great operation. But we are a high risk operation here. Things break badly sometimes. More often than we like. Matthew has managed through his share of disasters and we need someone with his experience. We already have too many people in our organization who have experience in flawless execution. We need someone with life experience. Matthew knows what it’s like when things go really, really bad, and he knows how to deal with them.”

“Thank you for coming in. We’ll keep your resumé on file for six months in case another position comes open.”

Much as we would like it to be, life is not about flawless execution. The advertising industry has sold us on the idea that life can be effortless if only we purchase the right car, the right “smart phone” or the right set of kitchen appliances. In point of fact, life is messy. Things break bad more often than we care to admit.

John thinks a job is about always looking good. Bill, on the other hand, wants someone who understands the realities of his business: the difficulties and the troubles.

Is it any wonder that Jesus selects the odd collection of men he does for disciples? Why doesn’t he just go to the temple and choose the 12 holiest men he can find for his disciples? Instead he recruits the modern equivalent of dockworkers, a loan shark and day laborers. The answer is that life is lived on the streets and not in the church.

So Jesus recruits people with “street cred.” People who have experienced and understand the hardships of life. This also tells us that God understands us. His Son, Jesus, is willing to go everywhere and anywhere with us, and to travel in the company of everyday people.

While faith is lived out in the marketplace, on the freeway, in the office and at home, it is renewed at church and through our religious practices. Our spiritual activities provide spiritual nourishment for life’s journey. As stewards of our God-given time, we are called to refresh and renew ourselves through worship, prayer, study and contemplation.

Our faith is renewed in church, but it is practiced on the streets. And in this day and age, as in every one before it, there are plenty of opportunities to practice.

Dear Lord: Teach me to take my faith into the world.

“Too late, I found you can't wait to become perfect, you got to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.” ~Ray Bradbury, American fantasy, science fiction, horror and mystery writer (1920-2012) from Something Wicked this Way Comes

©2012 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.

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