When you lighten things up too much.

This morning I was speaking at Westside Gathering in a series called, Why Work?

It's been a tough series for me to teach. Not because there's not enough to say about work, but mainly because there too much to say. Even more so because as I teach I'm feeling the struggle that some people have with their jobs. And though it would be easy to inspire, pump up, and challenge people to do what they love, change the world, find a job that fits your strengths - sometimes, at least for a season - that's not always possible.

But this post isn't about the struggle, it's about something I did because of the struggle.

I opened up the end of the talk for Q&A to allow people to share the tension that arises with what the scriptures teach about work. To share openly the specific situations the scriptures might not emphasize, but are still work related and need spiritual discernment to work through.

So as people are sharing, I'd often lighten up their comment - a little joke, a quick remark, fun sarcasm, etc. It was all in good fun and made for some good discussion, and honestly didn't stop anyone from sharing. But as I reflected about it, I wonder if maybe I belittled someone's experience, someone's situation, someone's struggle or question. I know my church and they know me, and we both know each other well enough to joke around and be down to earth with each other. But the question still lingers in me - did I lighten it up too much?

Is there moments we need to be more mindful of the heartfelt openness of someone when they're sharing, to know that the best thing to do is listen and not respond?

Any thoughts?

TO LISTEN TO THE SERIES GO HERE.