You can call me crazy...

I used to blog. Then I stopped. Now I’m blogging again. About a year ago I changed the title of my dormant, neglected blog to “Shades of Gray: Living in the In-Between.” It seemed like a good title for a blog. Interestingly enough, though I haven’t posted a thing since making the name change, I now find myself living in the in-between. You see, a couple of weeks ago I quit my job. Really. I tendered my resignation to the elders at my church (I am an associate pastor), effective January 31, 2011. And I have no plan. Whatsoever. No plan… as in I don’t have a job lined up, nor do I have any idea what I’m going to do with my time or to bring home money for such frivolous things as food and electricity. That’s what I mean by no plan. And you know what’s even crazier? I’m not worried about it. Seriously. Call me stupid or irresponsible or naïve. Go ahead. Maybe I am. Though nobody has actually used those words to my face, it’s overwhelmingly evident from the questions people ask me that they are wanting to say, “WHOA! Hello! Common sense, aisle 5, buddy! Here’s a two-for-one coupon. Let me point you in that direction.”

I get the sentiment. I really do. I mean, who quits a good paying job doing something you love with people you love without having a plan… especially in this economy?! Well, I do I guess. But there’s a little more to the story. (Note: This is the part where a large percentage of you will really question what type of Kool-aid I’ve been drinking.) Around mid-July I felt God say two things to me. (OK, religious fruitcake alert! Hide the women and children!) I never heard an audible voice, but it was very real nonetheless. I felt God say, “Stop playing it safe. Take the risk.” It was as real as if it was written on a stone tablet and dropped out of the sky onto my head. At the time, I felt pretty certain I knew what it meant. It meant I had to step away from the safety and security of my comfortable, well-paying associate pastor job at a church I helped launch and step into the unknown realm of the land between. (Thank’s Jeff Manion for the "Land Between" reference. If you want to read a great book on the subject, check it out here.) I also knew that then, July, wasn’t the time. So I talked with Michelle (my wonderful, supportive, Jesus-loving wife) and we began praying for direction and guidance and faith and all of the stuff you pray for in a situation like that. As the months drew on, it became clearer and clearer just what I needed to do and when I needed to do it. So, a couple of weeks ago, I did it. I (Choose your favorite cliché here:) (A.) took the plunge (B.) stepped out in faith (C.) proved to all those who were wondering that I really am a few fries short of a Happy Meal. (Ok, so that last one isn’t technically a cliché, but you get the idea.) And again (as of right now at least), I’m perfectly ok with that. In fact, I’m actually sort of excited about it. That’s not to say my life is free of anxiety/worry/fear/stress/doubt but simply that I believe to the core of my being that I’m doing exactly what God wants me to be doing. And as a follower of Christ that’s a good place to be, even when it’s scary or uncomfortable, and even when most everyone else thinks you've taken a gainer off the deep end.

Have a story of a time when you did something you believed was right, even when everyone else thought you were nuts?