Make Time to Lock Through
I was getting coffee with a friend the other day and they talked about teaching their employees to “lock-through.” I’m a millennial with Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids, so I know what “Lock In” means.
This was a new one for me so I asked him to explain it.
Channel Locks Control Water Heights
He told me that boats need to go from one body of water to the next where the water is at different heights. Instead of going on a wild theme park ride, ships need to go through a complicated process of entering into a hold, having two big gates close behind and in front of the boat. Then the water either rises or lowers to match the desired water level where they want to go. It’s actually a lengthy process to make sure the boat doesn’t get overwhelmed, the water stays calm, and the boat goes to where it needs to go safely.
Lock the doors behind you
When you go home, do you have a habit of taking work with you? Do you answer every text, work on your youth group lesson, and skip dinner to head to a student’s basketball game?
Ministry CAN be all encompassing if you let it. THere will be times when special events and emergencies happen, but if those occur all the time, they’re no longer emergencies or special. They’re just all the time.
When you leave or sign off for the day, lock the doors behind you. Let work stay at work. Do whatever you need to remind yourself that you’re “off the clock” and are heading home. Maybe it’s turning on “do no disturb” or just saying “Whatever is on my to-do list I can do tomorrow” over and over until you remember it.
Take the time to reset
Doug Fields talked about going from work to a local fast food restaurant to drink a soda and read the newspaper for about half an hour before heading home.
What could that look like for you? Maybe it’s heading out a little early to stop by a local coffee shop and get a drink. Or run by the grocery store to pick up something you need for dinner. Whatever it is, take the intentional time to reset.
I used to live 25 minutes from the church I worked at. I’d listen to an audiobook or podcast that didn’t have anything to do with work. It was a great chance to reset. When I moved only 5 minutes away from church, it was a lot more difficult for me to transition. I learned that I needed some time! Don’t rush. Make sure you can take the time to go from one space to the next in your head and your heart.
Be completely “there”
If the channel locks ever broke, there’d be a rush of water from one side to the next and a lot of chaos. The doors are locked on purpose!
When you’re home, be all there. Put your phone on a charger. Ask your spouse how THEIR day was. Get involved in your kid’s homework. Do the dishes. Whatever it takes to be fully home, commit yourself to it.
Don’t let the role invade your space. Be present with your family and your spouse. If you’re single, it’s just as important to not bring work home. Spend time with friends. Get involved in a hobby. Let your mind and heart be present where you are.
These things will help you last for the long haul in ministry. What can you start putting into practice to help yourself “lock-through” in the future?
