A New Path

2009 May 22

by Tyler

This week represents my 2 year anniversary of leaving my sales job in order to attend seminary.

At the time it was the most overwhelming decision. I was leaving a sure 6-figure job for a sure 5-figure (at best) lifestyle. I had zero resume for being able to land a job at a church, but I felt led and called to begin a new and completely different path with my life.

I was thinking yesterday about how totally dumping my current life plan and figuring out another one is sometimes appealing.

For me, instead of financial planning and being in church ministry…I would pursue some sort of sports job (writing or tv).

So my question (on this beautiful Friday in Portland) is:

If you could totally start over with your life/career path, what would you try doing instead?

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Kaley

Since I’ve not yet had a career (I’m a 22 year-old recent college grad), I really would just go to the school I went to the first time and probably have wayyy fewer student loans. I’d still like to major in Spanish and I’m going to do a campus ministry internship in Spain (where my heart is, really) for a year. I reallywant to do this, so I hope it’s the right thing.
Yonas

Opening a small wine/bakery/bistro…or something to do with entertainment production.
http://www.thriven.org Jonathan Brink

Tyler, I made the same decision in ’99. I was a partner in a thriving strategic marketing and design firm in Silicon Valley making way too much money. I had the house in the best neighborhood, and all the trimmings. Yet the best hours of my week were the Wednesday mornings I spent at a drug rehab center counseling men on restoration. I made the choice to give it all up and I haven’t regretted it yet. It was for me integrity of my soul.

What I will also say is that the choice wasn’t easy. In 2003 I made almost no money and seriously wondered about my choice. Many times I have thought about shifting back because it would be so much easier than ministry. Yet something in me would rather have less with more fulfillment than more without the fulfillment.
http://dhcosbyfamily.blogspot.com Daniel

What’s to say that you couldn’t invest yourself and your life into building up the Body in the manner that God has laid on your heart, AND earn a living as a writer (or whatever else)? ? ?

There are people doing it you know….
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

Well certainly I could pursue that still, but I can’t ignore what I feel is a calling on my life into what I am doing right now. Sports will just remain a hobby for me I guess.
http://unforcedrthymsofgrace.blogspot.com/ becky

I think I’d do it all the same…more attention on my parenting knowing how quickly it goes by…but really w/Christ I would like to do it the same…
kathyk

Hmmm. I think I might try serving women as a nurse-midwife. Funny how our plans aren’t always the same as God’s….

I’m glad you’re in ministry, Tyler. You’re a great leader!
http://seth.heasley.net/blog Seth

I’d definitely be a major league pitcher. Actually, a former one who blew his arm out.
http://www.aworshipfulheart.typepad.com jan owen

Writer/Communicator
Christy Polek

A race car driver.
http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

“if you could?” mmmmm, who wants to just “if you could…” more like, what dream, pursuit or calling are you going to forsake you life for?….just sayin. wink

actually, i’m working toward becoming a writer/producer w/ my own co. …my niche will be in video editing and photography – working w/ people’s stories and music.

i think it’s fantastic that you’ve gone after something that was on your heart and mind to do. it’s not always easy to get where you want to be- but in the end, it will be QUITE worth it.