Have you ever felt like everything you’re doing right now is just a series of insignificant tasks you have to push through until you can finally do what you actually want to do? Many of us spend a vast amount of time staring down the road, longing for a more ideal future while looking right past what we are currently doing.
As far back as most of us can remember, we had big dreams—aspirations that were constantly encouraged by the adults around us. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We idolized and admired people doing what we hoped to do one day: rock stars, artists, actors, firefighters, scientists, or teachers. But as we grew into adolescence, we began to realize that many of those dreams felt far-reaching or even impossible. There are only so many Super Bowl–winning quarterbacks, singers who can pack Madison Square Garden, and Academy Award winning actors. So, we became realists. We evaluated our talents and considered practical paths instead. Yet, deep down, we still held onto those aspirations, reaching for the stars and waiting for conditions in our lives to be just right.
Because of this, everything that happens on the way to our goals can feel like an obstacle. We feel like we're wasting time—spinning our wheels while waiting for the day we can finally step into the spotlight. Having dreams is wonderful, and working hard to achieve them is essential. The problem arises when we overlook where we are right now, neglecting the present for the sake of a future we hope will eventually arrive.
Actor Michael Keaton learned a powerful lesson about this through the process of auditioning. Keaton, who started his career in stand-up comedy before transitioning into dramatic roles and achieving immense success, shared a realization on a podcast that completely altered his career trajectory. He realized that the audition wasn't just a hurdle to clear to get a role, nor was it merely a test to prove his worth.
His breakthrough insight was simple: "The audition is the work." Framing it this way allowed him to focus fully on the 15 or 20 minutes he had in the room, rather than worrying about the outcome. He fully embraced the task at hand and gave it his absolute best.
This is a profound takeaway for all of us. Every experience in life prepares us for the next one. Instead of constantly looking past the present moment, we need to engage with what's right in front of us and build the skills each opportunity affords. When we spend all our time staring down the road, we risk failing to be faithful to the present—missing out on the chance to serve, grow, and refine who we are today.
In the fall of 2020, I needed to find a part-time job to supplement my income from pastoring our church. The COVID pandemic had affected our attendance and finances, so I took a proactive step to find an additional source of income. I first worked at Amazon Books, a physical bookstore in Columbus Circle in Manhattan. When Amazon announced in March that they were closing all physical bookstores, I was able to secure a job at Home Depot as a Pro Sales Associate.
While there, I decided to become a licensed NYC tour guide. I love this great city, and the idea of taking visitors on tours of the city's history, significant landmarks and attractions excited me. The first tour company that hired me asked if I would be interested in leading a 9/11 Ground Zero Memorial tour. My initial response was one of hesitation. As a native New Yorker, I had lived through that tragic day and its aftermath. After some thought, I decided to do it.
I found it was a significant tour, and the stories needed to be told accurately. In preparation for the tour, I studied everything I could about 9/11 and watched every documentary I could find. Just a few months later, I saw a position available in the Visitor Services department at the National September 11th Memorial Museum. I had grown weary of Home Depot and applied for the job. I figured I had already done the necessary homework and heavy lifting required for the position and was hired as a Visitor Services Associate.
In three years at the museum, I have been promoted twice, and I am now a supervisor on our team. This job has become a calling for me, and I am passionate about what I get to do each day.
Interestingly, I was never looking ahead to "the next thing." I was simply present in what was before me to do, learning whatever I could and waiting for whatever the next opportunity would be. I am thankful for where God has led me.
Looking at this biblically, we can see how Jesus spoke about the need to be faithful in the little things; only then will we be trusted with greater things. Everything counts, and every moment in our lives matters. It would be a shame to waste what we are currently doing, which can sharpen our skills, expand our intellectual capacity, and strengthen our relational capital. We have been given opportunities to serve in many different capacities, and even what seems insignificant truly matters. Don't waste the opportunities presented to you today. Be faithful in the moment, hopeful for tomorrow, and ready to step into all that God has for you.