Practicing what I've preached.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

I was talking about this verse with a friend recently. Waiting is an interesting thing. It can be perceived to be a passive thing which is true in some cases. But there is another type of waiting, waiting with intention, hope, and action. That's waiting with trust and with His strength. Easy to write, but in real life, not always easy to actually live out.

I share that for a reason. For the last few months I've been asking God what's next in my life and career. Over that time I've been honored to have some incredible conversations with some great churches and folks. In some cases a few of them looked really promising and got real far down the road and then the Lord closed the door for a variety of reasons about it being the next job. Good times.

In most of those cases it's really uncovered that I am not looking for a specific role as much as a specific culture and opportunity to leverage how He has gifted me to serve His Kingdom. That clarity has been enlightening but it's also heightened my need to trust Him for that thing He has prepared me for.

My heart tells me that the roles that did not work out are for a reason but my flesh gets frustrated because of my desire to roll to what's next now. I was talking to a friend the other day who said "it's in the desert of the unknown God gets our full attention." Truth.

As I write this, there are still some things I'm in conversation about. I've applied for a role at a few great churches and am conversation with a ministry about a potential opportunity.

For now, there is the wait. And honestly, it stinks. My plans were not on this timeline and my spirit, heart, and trust are being tested.

Over the years I can recall SO many small groups and back porch conversations on this topic. Now, it's easy to dish out the advice, but now I need to take it. Do I really believe that God's plan is perfect? Am I in faith seeking and knocking to discover what He has for me? Am I praying and casting my cares on Him? Am I running to Him or away from Him? Do I really trust that His timing is right?

I need to take my own medicine here and practice what I've pontificated. He is faithful. He can handle it. He is capable of hearing out your frustrations, fears, and unmet expectations. His timing IS perfect and His will is worth waiting on.

I'm trying, but when real life collides with that it's a test. I hope on the other side I pass, but that will be by His grace alone. I am trying really hard to not control the narrative and follow where He leads, Maybe one of these things that are peculating might be it. Frankly in my heart I hope so because I think I am ready for His next assignment. But if I am going to practice what I've preached, I need to practice radical trust even when it does not make sense.

I realize my assignment right now requires radical trust. Super thankful that during this confusion and at time frustrating season I've been surrounded by a great small group and friends who care, pray and encourage me to keep my heart, soul, and focus on Him and His will. My time with the Lord has been so rich and insightful, likely due to my attention being square on Him and trusting Him for what's next now.

Until I say yes to the next right thing, I'm still open. Of the few roles in the hopper right now, they are all different from each other but all in the relational ministry sphere. Feel free to zip me a message at jasoncarr@me.com if you have a role you think might fit. I know that all these conversations and prayer over the last few months are leading to something special. Excited to see what that is.

So, I'll keep trying to practice what I've preached as I wait on Him with hope and anticipation that His plans and timing are perfect. Thanks for reading and praying that for me.