An Update

Wow. It’s been 11 months since my last post. That post was telling of a start to a brand new job in a brand new industry. This post is telling you of its end. The position that I accepted last summer was for a year-long project that would prepare me for a future leadership role within the organization. However, the project never took off and was canceled after about four months. I was hastily assigned to another team as consolation. Unfortunately, what that team really needed was something other than me.

I’ve tried hard to make it work. So hard, in fact, that I allowed it to eclipse other important aspects of my life. Now that the year is up, we both recognize that it’s not a good fit. The position is being deleted on August 8th. I will not be reassigned.

I feel great about it.

I’m thankful that the job allowed us to catch our breath a bit and restore some financial health to our savings, which had been beaten and bruised from … [ahem], the last season of being out of work. I’m also thankful for some valuable lessons learned regarding leadership, what’s worth the cost, and what ain’t. But I’m so ready to move on.

This is what I want you to know about me professionally: I’m a musician. And I’m not apologizing for it any longer. I’m not corporate, I’m not IT, I’m not healthcare. I go a little crazy if I spend too much time in front of these computers. I need flesh-and-blood interaction. My heart beats for Jesus-worship, my family, and the power of a great song.

So the conversations that I’ve had lately regarding what’s next have revolved around worship leading and songwriting. I’ve had some fantastic conversations recently and I feel like the time is right to focus on these things. My wife and I are keeping a list of folks who have (sometimes unknowingly) encouraged us to go down this path. It’s a growing list and I’m very encouraged by it.

No, there is nothing firm to report yet. There may or may not be other streams of income. The answer to whatever question you have is likely to be “I don’t know.” But right now, this is where I am: I’m determined to live from the core of my heart. I’ve learned that to do otherwise is not worth the price.