There are certain seasons in life that feel weightier than others.
Graduating from junior high to high school. Being unable to drive to getting your drivers license (s/o Olivia Rodrigo). Moving out of your parents house into your first apartment. Changing your social media status from “single” to “in a relationship.” Talking about having kids to actually having kids – don’t worry, this blog is dramatic, but not THAT dramatic!
I think moving into a new year brings a natural shift – one for which I am grateful. I have always loved how fresh perspective accompanies a new year. However, the shift I am talking about is more than just cracking open a 2022 calendar. For me, this shift literally goes against a blog I wrote two posts ago. It marks the transition of multiple things in my life including where I call home and how I define ‘normal life.’ Best way I can describe it is when I went from 9-year-old baseball to Little League. Suddenly the field was bigger, teammates were faster, coaches expected more, and though I still new how to play the game, it just felt altogether different.
This blog is trying to explain the ‘altogether different’ part of my life. So no more beating around the bush, here it is…
Just over two months ago I got let go from my job as a mentor at Adventures In Missions.
Yeah… woah.
Some of you who subscribe to my email list will know this news, for those of you who don’t let me rewind…
In 15 Years In The Making I announced I was stepping back into full-time ministry as a missionary after volunteering with the World Race for 3 years. This is something I dreamed of doing since I was 12 years old. I was stoked!
I moved to Georgia, began preparing to take my first squad as a mentor, and 4 months later was told I was being let go. For some reason my mind goes to that scene from The Emperor’s New Groove when Kuzco fires Yzma. Don’t worry, it was much kinder and didn’t set me on a power-hungry rampage of revenge.
I can’t go into the full explanation, but I am thankful to say the decision to release me from mentoring was nothing more than a financial one. I actually understood the why, and I respected my boss in her decision. Shout-out to her by the way. She serves the mentor team so selflessly and I have nothing but admiration for her.
That being said, it was still a major bummer.
In part 2 (coming out tomorrow) I will outline my new job – God has been so good through this process and I want to take my time giving Him credit in the next installment.
For now, I want to acknowledge the gift given to me these past 3 years as a missionary around the world. My life and relationship with the Lord will never be the same and I am so incredibly thankful.
I thought full-time ministry was my destiny. Better said, I had a certain picture of what full-time ministry should look like, but it just never matched my expectations. Go figure! As it turns out, simply being God’s son is my destiny. What I do isn’t more important than just being His beloved.
I knew this before, but realizing God loves me even if I’m not a missionary has been so refreshing. Talk about 15 years in the making!
Perhaps moving overseas and being the missionary I always imagined will happen one day. I will always love missions, and I doubt my passion for it will change. But I have to believe God knows what He’s doing and…
I trust Him.
– Connor
Thanks Bailey! So cool you read this! So kind
Appreciate all your wisdom and helps along the way my friend #guide #storybrand haha
Han! this is such a good way to put it! Dang, thank you for your prayers… if anyone knows what it’s like to seek the Lord in unexpected seasons it’s you so it means a lot! Thanks 🙂 proud of you as well!
You’re so kind Trudy! Thank you so, so much!
Proud of you Connor!
Way to trust the story bro
Dang, so interesting how God moves and guides us. And also sweet that he is letting you live out a new and different version of living on mission while you get to embrace your creative side! Praying God will continue to meet you in this unexpected season. Being with him is the real joy of it all! Proud of you Con and your trust in the lord!!
I love how you trust and live the Lord! Such admirable qualities you have!! Can’t wait to see what else is in store!!
” As it turns out, simply being God’s son is my destiny. What I do isn’t more important than just being His beloved.”
So good bro!!I That is gold.
“I thought full-time ministry was my destiny. Better said, I had a certain picture of what full-time ministry should look like, but it just never matched my expectations. Go figure! As it turns out, simply being God’s son is my destiny. What I do isn’t more important than just being His beloved.” This is EVERYTHING, and it’s the easy yoke and light burden. I have come back to this reality again and again as I’ve run the race. Like you, I had to lay down missions for a season, and now He’s calling me back in; our identity is simply to be His beloved, amen and amen! Looking forward to seeing how/where He leads as you continue the race.