In addition to learning that I just plain suck at blogging
(I think of so many things to say but don’t’ spend the time stopping to write
them down), I’ve learned a great deal about God’s providence and provision.
A year ago yesterday I walked into the office of my boss and
was told that the place that I had poured myself into for ten years was headed
in a different direction and I would no longer be a part of it. I can feel the pit in my stomach today as I
type those words. No warning, no set up,
no hype, just those words. Within a
month or so I had landed a job with Colorado Christian University as a
professor of communication, director of debate and doing special projects for
the President.
Today I was honored with an award voted on by the student
body; Faculty of the Year. Honestly I
think the vote might have been fixed.
The runner-up should investigate.
Someone afterward said that I looked surprised. I was surprised. After one year? That just doesn’t happen.
So one year ago, I felt like my world had been ripped apart.
I asked some tough questions of God and He asked some of me. One of them was to revisit words I had said
to students for years; “What are you doing when you feel the most alive? Or the
most fulfilled by God?” My answer is
teaching. I love the classroom and I
love the engagement of learning that goes on when students, a teacher, a good
text and some powerful ideas collide.
There is magic that can happen.
During the last couple months there have been a number of
challenges that have come up in my role as Chair of The Classical Academy
board. In the days when I have felt beat
up by my leadership role, I found myself the next day standing in the classroom
at CCU and just filling my soul (and the students were not even aware – they
thought they were there for them…)
I have been able to find that “one thing” (Curly talks to
Billy Crystal in “City Slickers” about it – watch it sometime) and connect with
it. Additionally I have found myself amongst
a wonderful faculty, some stellar students, and being able to follow a leader
like Bill Armstrong (former U.S. Senator from Colorado and now President of
CCU) has been a huge blessing. Yeah the
drive from the Springs to Denver a few times a week can be a drag (or a real
challenge on some snow days). But the
calling that is fulfilled is amazing.
You also don’t travel that road alone. I have gained a new appreciation for Team
Leland and their support in a year of transition. When I was out of work my wife, Becca cried with me and then being
the “challenger” she is, went to work on a plan on how this would all
work. My boys reacted to the news a year ago differently but
positively; from writing a worship song about the experience to plans
articulated by my youngest that we needed to open a deli. Not my sweet spot, but worth considering down
the road perhaps.
God provided perfectly for this season of my life. I don’t state that in a matter-of-fact
way. I truly believe it. He is Jehovah Shalom – my peace. He is Jehovah Jireh – my provider. He is all of those things for me… and
YOU! Don’t forget it.
