Let’s play the simple word association game of naming the first word that comes to your mind when another word is given: for example, I say sun, you say moon. I say light, you say dark. I say up, you say down. Got it? As you can see in the examples, many times the first word we say is the opposite or something closely associated with it.
So what would you say if I said “joy”? Would you say the Lord? Would you say softball? Would you say job search?
If you are familiar with Scripture, you might say “the Lord.” After all, many Scriptures speak of our ability to have joy in our lives. Two Scriptures come to mind for me. Psalms 28:7 states, “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
If you’re like me, you probably wouldn’t initially serve up softball or job search as words associated with joy. However, I was inspired this morning as I listened to a Twitter account of an ESPN reporter asking a question to three members of the 2023 Oklahoma University women’s softball team. A team that has won the 2021 and 2022 college world series and has a 51-game winning streak.
Excerpt from ESPN Interview with Oklahoma University Women’s Softball Team:
ESPN reporter: For the players, I know you talk about keeping the joy of the game. But it’s a long season, and you’ve had a target on your back the entire time. The win streak being #1. How do you handle the unique pressure that comes with that? How do you keep the joy for so long when anxiety seems like a thing that can very easily set in?
Player #1 – The only way you can have a joy that doesn’t fade away is from the Lord. Happiness comes from circumstances, and outcomes. Joy from the Lord is the only thing that can keep you motivated, and in a good mindset no matter the outcomes. Thankfully we’ve had a lot of success this year, but if it was the other way around, joy from the Lord is the only thing that can keep you embracing the moment, the friendships and all of that. The only answer to that (your question) is that, because there’s no other way softball can bring you that because of how much failure comes in it and how much of a roller coaster the game can be.
Player #2 – 1000% agree with that. I went through that my freshman year. I was so happy to win the college world series that year, but I didn’t feel joy. I didn’t know what to do the next day. I didn’t know what to do the following week. I didn’t “feel filled”. I had to find Christ. That’s what makes our team so strong is that we’re not afraid to lose – – it’s not the end of the world if we do lose. Because our life is in Christ and that’s all that matters.
Player #3 – I think a huge thing that we’ve just really latched onto is “eyes up”, and you guys see us doing this (points up), but we’re really, like, fixing our eyes on Christ, and that’s what we’re saying here. You can’t find fulfillment in an outcome, whether it’s good or bad, and I think that’s why we’re so steady in what we do and our love for each other and our love for the game because we know this game is giving us the opportunity to glorify God. Once we figured that out, and that was our purpose, and everyone was all in with that, it’s really changed so much for us. I know myself, I’ve seen so much of a growth in myself, once I turned to Jesus and I realized how He had changed my outlook on life, not just softball, but understanding how much I have to live for, and that’s living to exemplify the Kingdom. And I think that brings so much freedom and I’m sure everyone’s story is similar, but we all have those great testimonies that have really shown how awesome it is to play for something bigger. I think that’s what brings me so much joy, no matter the outcome, whether we get a trophy in the end or not, this isn’t our home. And I think that’s what’s so amazing about it – we have so much more – we have an eternity of joy with our Father, and I’m so excited about that! Yes, I live in the moment, but I know this isn’t my home, and no matter what my sisters in Christ will be there with me in the end, when we’re with our King.
Wow! That reporter probably didn’t anticipate THOSE answers! I certainly didn’t. 🙂
So…if those young women softball players can supply those genuine, authentic answers in the context of softball pursuits, couldn’t we apply those answers to literally any of our pursuits? Even our job search? I’d encourage you to reread the question and the answers in the context of a job search. Ready, GO!
Finding True Joy in Your Job Search
Ok, you’re back. Here are a few phrases that resonated with me through the lens of a job search:
- Reporter: How do you keep the joy for so long when anxiety…can set in?
- Player #1: Joy from the Lord is the only thing that can keep you motivated, and in a good mindset, no matter the outcome.
- Player #1: …no other way softball can bring you that because of how much failure comes in it and how much of a roller coaster the game can be.
- Player #2: I didn’t “feel filled.” I had to find Christ. Our life is in Christ and that’s all that matters.
- Player #3: You can’t find fulfillment in an outcome, whether it’s good or bad….
- Player #3: …we know this game is giving us the opportunity to glorify God.
- Player #3: …understanding how much I have to live for, and that’s living to exemplify the Kingdom
At Crossroads Career, whether we’re supporting people hearing God’s calling, getting the right job, or maximizing their potential, we believe “the joy of the Lord is our strength!” If you’re wrestling with finding that job, I’d encourage you to sign up for a Crossroads Guide conversation (Click Here)! You’ll be glad you did! Blessings!
Dave Sparkman currently serves as the volunteer Crossroads Career board chair and local ministry leader. He is also the founder and managing director of Spark Your Culture, a corporate culture consulting firm. Prior to that he worked at UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune #5 public company, serving in the role of Chief Culture Officer. His unemployment experience came from the implosion of Arthur Andersen, where he served as the West Region Managing Partner, People.
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