Spirituality
For some of us, work is important for not only our financial well being, but also satisfying our soul. For me, this is so when it is work that is aligned with divine service to creation and working with your talents. However, when a job is asking you to compromise your spiritual beliefs to obtain or keep a position, then a serious red flag has been raised. As a follower of Rastafari, I have refused or have not been considered for jobs because I wanted to maintain my spiritual integrity and be true to myself.
I recently received a calling from the Most High to work with youth involving a sport from my past, baseball. It has been over a decade since I last played the game. A week later I saw a listing for a head coaching position at a high school. At first I doubted the call. Yet the Most High and my wife encouraged me to heed the call. I applied and I was interviewed. At the interview I received some positive signs, such as the principal's framed poster with a Gandhi passage "Be the Change you want to see". The athletic director (A.D.) and I both agreed that Roberto Clemente was one of the greatest human beings to play baseball on and off the field. Two days later I was hired and was amazed that I received the position. However I knew that the Most High had a reason for using me as his instrument for the youth.
I have faced challenges early on. First, all of the returning assistant coaches decided that they were not going to assist me this year. One coach's reason was the fact that he did not want to be associated with a head coach with a dread-locked bearded appearance. Then I was accused by a parent and supposedly a player of "smelling like weed" during our hitting try-outs. When I met with the A.D. and principal, I had already made up my mind that I was not attached to this position and that I was prepared to be terminated for standing up for my beliefs. I told both of them that I am a follower of Rastafari and that I use herb for sacramental spiritual reasons. I also told them that what is important to me in my life first is JAH, family, then my job. I also told them that I know better than to work around a high school setting after partaking in the holy herb. I expected to be let go in that moment but JAH surprised me once again. They both decided to keep me, stand by me and defend my position as coach.
From that situation I learned that the Most High always has your back as long as you stand up for your divine spiritual rights that have been freely given to us.
I have begun to pray for a spirit of unity, peace and encouragement amongst the players, parents and all associated with the team. After being the only coach on the field and losing our first two games,
Maintaining Spiritual Integrity While on the Job by Joe Gell
I was facing heat from the parents and an old coach expressed their concern about the direction in which the team was heading.
I opened my heart and humbly told him that I needed help and that I needed people to step up and actively be there for the youth. I told him that I m only there for the growth and well being of the youth and that I need to see that support from other adults. That same day the coach returned to our coaching staff. It has been a positive shift for the youth to see a familiar face around. Then another old coach showed up and a another parent has volunteered to coach as well. We won our first game and I know that consistent prayer is key.
Along with prayers being answered, I am learning that I am not only in these youngsters' lives to teach them the fundamentals of the game, but also how to maintain a strong spiritual character in life despite our external circumstances. Though I still face challenges, I cannot run away from this divine mission. Our Almighty Creator has shown me that it is not my will but the will of JAH to perform JAH works always. What a learning experience it has been.
Joe has studied and performed traditional African music with Williams College's Kusika Drum and Dance Ensemble. He received instruction from Kusika's musical director KweYao Agyapon and renown masters such as Titos Sompa, Bernard Woma, and Obbo Addy.
In 2005, Gell relocated to Los Angeles where he studied and performed Yoruban rhythms and songs with Nigerian Talking Drum master Francis Awe. Through Awe, Gell met his current master and mentor Baba Ayo Adeyemi. Under Adeyemi, Gell gained spiritual healing through drumming, increased his vocabulary of Yoruban rhythms and songs.Gell credits Adeyemi's "swimming" technique for his musical progression in percussion, drum set and singing.
Visit Joe's blog
http://manypaths1spirit.tumblr.com/
Photo by Ray Wolfe