Seven years ago I was working on embarking on a new adventure called RWOL and deciding what it would look like. I was busy juggling youth ministry at Mustang Naz and also trying to map out the next phase of life and ministry. Scheduling, programming, financing, and worrying were all part of my daily grind at this time in 2016.
I had taken a leap and knew that the end of one chapter was near and the beginning of another was on the horizon, and I could see the new day dawning. I was gleaning everything I could about CrossFit and meeting with people who knew more than me or loved me or both. What started as an unsettling in my spirit for the way things currently were in ministry, has grown into a life-giving and rejuvenating mission of running a gym, coaching people, restoring wholeness of life and living into my calling to see people changed by Jesus, through CrossFit.
I have loved it!!!!!! It’s been anything but typical, dull, or monotonous. (Remember, CrossFit specializes in NOT specializing.)
So, it’s only fitting to conclude this series with the full story of where last week’s message came from and something that has gotten a hold of me, caught my attention, and is absolutely NOT what it appeared to be.
Just over 2 months ago, I was asked to consider a job opportunity, a pastoral role in another state to be exact. I entertained the idea, as not much more than I had with all the other solicitations we have received over the years. RWOL is where we’re at and ministry is good here; I’m fully satisfied and not looking for anything else.
This conversation, however, lingered a bit longer – over a couple of weeks – and Ashly and I found ourselves looking at an invitation to come out to California for a formal visit and interview.
There’s a lot to tell about this story but I want to give you the crux of the matter for the sake of this message.
While in Cali, we had a few experiences that made it seem like this may be more than a free vacation and something was moving in us differently. We began asking ‘what if we moved’ types of questions and found ourselves leaning into this idea a little more. The whole time we never once felt or heard that RWOL was finished, and it held a very strong conviction in our hearts of being good stewards of what God has grown and was to continue to do here.
I was offered the position before we even left town and we had a week to decide. I was praying and seeking the LORD fervently. We had a week to make a decision. At the end of the week, I was SICK, felt NO PEACE about either way, and could NOT make a choice.
At that time, 4 of the 5 other members of my family had articulated a word from the LORD about going or a peace about it, EXCEPT ME! I made the phone call to tell the pastor that I couldn’t decide. This had me all up in my feelings. He said let’s give it a little longer. I was relieved, yet frustrated still.
I didn’t WANT to go but even more did NOT want to be disobedient to God and just didn’t know. I was stuck.
After another grueling 2 days, I received a message from the pastor on the 3rd day that simply said, “If it’s you Jesus…” and then shared about the plan and conversations that had been going on at this church that was calling us, along with a video link to a promo video for this new start, of which I would lead.
The video was drone footage of the city we’d be in with clips from The Chosen and the episode where Peter gets out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus.
My heart melted and leaped at the same time.
When we were out there, Ashly and I took a hike to relax, pray, talk, and listen. At one point, the image of this scene came into my mind with Peter’s words ringing in my head, “Jesus, if it’s you, then tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replied, “COME.”
I didn’t tell anyone but another 2 pastor-mentor-friends who were praying with us in this decision, not even Ashly.
I hadn’t seen that video yet, and at first thought it was just made that last week…for me…lol.
Ashly told me she had seen it on their Facebook page and when I saw that it was posted in May, I knew God had moved, and therefore we could too.
So, with great difficulty, Ashly and I will be stepping out of the boat of Oklahoma, family, safety, security and RWOL, and pursuing a walk on the water in Hermosa Beach, CA.
We are still not sure the timeline or the transition but we will absolutely NOT be leaving RWOL to just suffer and die out. We don’t plan to go anywhere until there is a concrete succession plan and people in place to carry the torch and make it better!
Feel free to reach out at any time and we will keep you posted as we know things along the way.
Thanks for loving us and letting us be part of your restoration journey. And my prayer is that this move is NOT what it may appear to be, but something even greater!!! RWOL is not done and God is not either! So, we go in faith, and invite you to take a step of your own!
#GetOutOfTheBoat
#ObjectsInMirror
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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