Letting Go of Recognition: What Three Layoffs Taught Me About John 4:44
“For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place.”” ~Jn 4:44
Once again, I was laid off under the guise of a reduction in force. It’s ironic that companies love to demand loyalty from their current and future employees, yet they don’t hesitate to eliminate jobs whenever times get tough.
This time around, someone asked me why I keep voluntarily going into environments that don’t value what I bring to the table.
I have worked for three companies, and in all of them, I found myself in situations where the things I enjoyed working on weren’t valued by the department. Only a few recognized that what I did well had inherent value, but because it wasn’t directly affecting the bottom line (money), it went unnoticed.
The first time I was laid off, I carried a lot of anger, frustration, and disappointment. The second time I laughed. The third time, I closed the door on wanting to be recognized.
I believe every layoff has been a progression to help me understand the value of “no honor in his native place.”
I used to interpret that verse as referring to close friends and family, but I have come to see it relates to the places we frequent most. It’s ironic that the places we wish to be most appreciated and valued are the places where we tend to be dismissed as just one of the many.
People close to us tend to focus on our weaknesses and dismiss our strengths. They take us for granted. It’s in the places where we seek to belong that we encounter the most pushback.
I have finally learned my lesson and let go of wanting to prove to myself and others that what I have to offer is valuable.
I believe the lesson behind Jn 4:44 is to let go of the attachment to be recognized and valued by the world, including those closest to us.
- From my first job, I had to let go of the belief that my value came from hard work
- In my second job, I had to let go of seeking to add value when it wasn’t welcomed
- In my third job, I let go of being comfortable in things of the past
This is my journey; I expect yours to be different.
The question to ponder today: In which area of your life are you still attached to needing honor from others to feel worthy of love?
In peace,
~Juan
PS: As for the answer to why I kept going to places where I don’t seem to be appreciate, I think I was doing it out comfort and the believe I could get people to change.
