What Have I Learned?

Fair Use – Cover of the book The Cat in the Hat

I had a "what have I learned" assignment some time back thanks to a friend's invitation to speak to a group of peers.

It behooved me to remove my "expert hat" and be a fellow traveler.

That hat never fit too well anyway.

In fact, I have never really liked wearing hats much. I find them functionally necessary at times as tools, identifiers, shades from the sun, or … well … that is all I can really think of.

Hats – I have so many, role-related identifiers.

Whenever I introduce myself, I am compelled do a reality check. What hat am I wearing today? What is the "so what" of the crowd that is my ticket in the door? Why was I invited? What are the needs of the people that I have been sent to serve?

I am not switching between one authentic self to another; I am just turning the side of me that is relevant to the side of the crowd that cares.

And yet, everything relates, integrates, and colors everything else. I am or have been, a pastor, preacher, teacher, writer, blogger, community manager, non-profit (public benefit organization) board member, executive director, coach, Toastmaster, encourager, singer, chaplain, entrepreneur, husband, son, brother, father, GRANDPA (!), disciple of Jesus, human being, friend …..

See, I did not, could not list them in order. The order changes with the setting.

If you ask me what I have learned I have to ask what about! And I have to ask who is asking and what they need/want to know. What have I learned in what context? Under what hat? As a what? How will it help?

See 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and ask, "What is the big banner? What is the big hat?"

It is not about having a changing persona; it is about function. All functions serve a greater purpose. I only become all things to all people for the benefit of others. I do that for the sake of a message of good news which is greater than anything that I am. As a result, I get to share in the benefits … like Joseph who, for all of his gifts, designations, and complexities, a servant who lived out his life for the benefit of a people not his own in a land not his own … and came to share in the benefits of life-giving service he had offered.