I'm going to try to blog again.
I started this blog shortly after moving to Vancouver and joining YWAM full-time. That was in 2006. I saw it as a way to put into words any thoughts, stories, and updates which people might want to read in order to stay connected - without me inundating their email inboxes. It's always been geared for people who know me and has never been a public or searchable blog (it will remain that way). But now that I've left YWAM, I have decided to try to continue writing. Mostly because I don't like the idea of not being connected through my update emails I have sent for years, and because I actually like writing at times.
I haven't known how to start this today. I think I thought that I would be able to convey how it feels to have officially left YWAM. But I don't think I can. People have asked me if I need to talk about it as I transition out of serving in a context that has been such a huge part of my life since 2003. But I'm not sure what to say. How do you sum up that much time, all that I've learned, everything that happened?
It's weird. It's emotional. But mostly, I'm just thankful. I have learned so much and met so many amazing people that I struggle to express it without sounding cliche. But it's really true. I have really learned SO MUCH and I am just really, really thankful for the last decade. I am not going to try to break it down for you as that would take hours. But God is good and I feel at peace with my decision to step out.
But here goes. One weird thing, one hard thing, and one good thing:
One of the weirdest things to get used to is that when I meet new people who inquire about my life and what I've been up to, I no longer say, "I serve with YWAM." It's now, "I used to serve with YWAM." That feels very strange to say and even write.
One of the hardest things is not having as much easy contact with my YWAM community. I don't see them at meetings or the office anymore because, well, I'm not there. We have to work a little harder to spend time together.
One of the great things is that, over the years, God has blessed me with people outside of YWAM who care about me and invest in me. This is not to downplay the importance of my YWAM friends (see last point) but it really does make the transition out of YWAM easier.
Yes, once a YWAMer, always a YWAMer. But it's still different now and different does not equal bad. I received a letter in the mail today from a dear YWAM friend and she wrote, "Always remember - the most spiritual thing you can do is obey.... There is no division between sacred + secular for the disciple of Jesus. Obedience is the key."
I'm working as an office administrator for my friend's construction company and continuing to take college courses. And I'm still involved with hockey as much as possible, coaching and playing. Clarity is still needed about my education and everyone I know has different opinions about what I should do in that regard, some more adamant and vocal than others. :) But I'm going to wait until God makes some things clear about school before I make any decisions. And full-time ministry may be back on the table in the future.
I never thought I'd live in Vancouver this long. I'm in my 8th year. Wow.
I started this blog shortly after moving to Vancouver and joining YWAM full-time. That was in 2006. I saw it as a way to put into words any thoughts, stories, and updates which people might want to read in order to stay connected - without me inundating their email inboxes. It's always been geared for people who know me and has never been a public or searchable blog (it will remain that way). But now that I've left YWAM, I have decided to try to continue writing. Mostly because I don't like the idea of not being connected through my update emails I have sent for years, and because I actually like writing at times.
I haven't known how to start this today. I think I thought that I would be able to convey how it feels to have officially left YWAM. But I don't think I can. People have asked me if I need to talk about it as I transition out of serving in a context that has been such a huge part of my life since 2003. But I'm not sure what to say. How do you sum up that much time, all that I've learned, everything that happened?
It's weird. It's emotional. But mostly, I'm just thankful. I have learned so much and met so many amazing people that I struggle to express it without sounding cliche. But it's really true. I have really learned SO MUCH and I am just really, really thankful for the last decade. I am not going to try to break it down for you as that would take hours. But God is good and I feel at peace with my decision to step out.
But here goes. One weird thing, one hard thing, and one good thing:
One of the weirdest things to get used to is that when I meet new people who inquire about my life and what I've been up to, I no longer say, "I serve with YWAM." It's now, "I used to serve with YWAM." That feels very strange to say and even write.
One of the hardest things is not having as much easy contact with my YWAM community. I don't see them at meetings or the office anymore because, well, I'm not there. We have to work a little harder to spend time together.
One of the great things is that, over the years, God has blessed me with people outside of YWAM who care about me and invest in me. This is not to downplay the importance of my YWAM friends (see last point) but it really does make the transition out of YWAM easier.
Yes, once a YWAMer, always a YWAMer. But it's still different now and different does not equal bad. I received a letter in the mail today from a dear YWAM friend and she wrote, "Always remember - the most spiritual thing you can do is obey.... There is no division between sacred + secular for the disciple of Jesus. Obedience is the key."
I'm working as an office administrator for my friend's construction company and continuing to take college courses. And I'm still involved with hockey as much as possible, coaching and playing. Clarity is still needed about my education and everyone I know has different opinions about what I should do in that regard, some more adamant and vocal than others. :) But I'm going to wait until God makes some things clear about school before I make any decisions. And full-time ministry may be back on the table in the future.
I never thought I'd live in Vancouver this long. I'm in my 8th year. Wow.
2 comments:
Good thoughts, friend. I love what your friend wrote to you about obedience in all aspects of your life - still rooting for you, as you carry Christ wherever you go.
still waiting for that post...
Post a Comment