It’s a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Front Door

“The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say”
– Bilbo Baggins in The Fellowship of the Ring

Those of you who know me know my passion for the works of the master storyteller J.R.R. Tolkien. In his volumes of literature, I can always seem to find some little quote perfectly fitting for nearly any circumstance. Today that is true once again. The road continues on and I feel as if I’ve just arrived on its winding paths, preparing to set off to wherever it takes me. Whither then? I cannot say.

Well, I suppose I can say a little. Plans seem to change quicker than the weather around here, but I think I have some notion as to what lies ahead. At least for the next couple of years. After that, I truly cannot say.

I’m thrilled to say that I’ll be staying in Clarkston, Georgia a little while longer. Come January, I plan to continue living life with the people I’ve met and friends I’ve made down here (which is what you could call “ministry”, though that word really applies to every area of life). I’ll keep looking for opportunities to grow in experience and knowledge, getting involved in whatever discipleship or evangelism opportunities I can. I’ve become a part of a pretty amazing missional community down here, so I’ve got plenty of contacts, friends, and mentors to keep community and accountability strong.

Additionally, I’ll start working for my uncle in construction at the beginning of next year. I’m super excited about this for a lot of reasons even aside from the fact I’ll get to work with family. Construction is a very universal skill that I’ll be able to apply pretty much anywhere. As business and “regular jobs” become increasingly common as mission strategies, practical job skills are becoming increasingly useful for those who feel called to serve Christ in foreign countries.

I’m already transitioning into a new season of life. As I bid farewell to a season that lasted only five months, the air is bittersweet. Many good memories were made these last few months. Many hard ones too. This fall is one I’m certain I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and yet I’m excited for the coming year. I’ve seen God do so much. I know He’s going to do more. I don’t know what that is yet, but I’m sure it’ll be anything but boring. He’s not known for writing dull stories.

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” – Philippians 3:13