A brief reflection...

(A look back at) 7 days after quitting my 8 to 5:

I chose Labor Day to be my very first day of my new career as a missionary, a day off (LOL), easing me into no longer having a job everyday, a boss or coworkers. Honestly it was surreal and exciting but yet so bittersweet all at the same time. I was not yet on the field so I was working from home finishing up my fundraising and preparing for a month long training in Colorado. I worked all week getting up at 8am, taking a lunch break and even finishing up a 5pm. Looking back I just laugh, my body was so trained I couldn’t even take advantage of the freedom I had to work whenever I wanted. I felt as if I had to do it that way or it was like I wasn’t working. Why is that I had to follow some programmed notion that I needed to be working at the same time as everyone else?

I had to ask myself am I worried about people judging me for going into ministry full time and not having a “normal” job? Growing up it’s all about doing well in school in order to get a good job to buy a house and then the next thing and the next. I think this causes us to put so much importance into our careers and our work that we sometimes forget there is so much more to life. Even when fundraising I found myself making it a job instead of using it to build relationships with people. Seven days into starting my new chapter of work and I still found myself falling into the same mindset from before. It’s going to take time to change out of that mindset and focus on more relational strategies but I can’t be worried about people’s opinions on my decision to pursue ministry or having to be supported instead of living on my own finances. Change is hard but without change can we say we have accomplished anything?

Ultimately it’s about having a plan, no matter the time of day and executing it. My plan is God’s plan and I can’t afford to care about anyone else’s opinion. Therefore 8 to 5 or 7 to 4 or 9 to 6 it doesn’t matter, it’s about going after what you have been set apart to do and then getting it done. This transition hasn’t been super easy so far but getting out of my own head is the first step towards success in this new season.

**Today: I am out of my own head and starting language school January 6. I have started small groups to build relationships and volunteering at a local school to help mentor students. I am learning the city, the culture and phrases I shouldn't say here. As I will always say life isn't easy and if it was it wouldn't be fun!