Looking for McDonald’s and Finding My Future

“Oh, man, it’s totally serendipitous.”

    -Dave, “Hot Rod”           

               

 

Serendipity (noun ser·en·dip·i·ty ser-?n-‘di-p?-te): the phenomenon of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for.

 

As we are quickly nearing the end of the World Race, I have been led to think more about not just immediate post-Race life, but what it is I will do with my future long term. I will use this blog as a sort of “Update Blog” to let you in on where my heart has been lately and where I am feeling called. But it would be boring to just give a brief blog saying what I want to do after the Race. Instead, it would only be appropriate to tell a fun anecdote about how I got to where I am now. It all started during MANistry month…

 

 

Month 5 brought us to Western China where our squad split up the teams by guys and girls. A month that we so affectionately call MANistry month (Man+ministry=MANistry). During our time in China we attempted the ridiculous as we overland traveled 2,400+ miles in two weeks from Southwestern China to Almaty, Kazakhstan. What an experience! With that, many 12+ hour bus or 24+ hour train rides were included in the travel. Having that much time in a vehicle, just sitting and looking at the breath-taking views, provided many opportunities to think. I covered every area possible in thought. And one of those areas was, “What the heck do I want to do with my life?”  I will pause there and jump ahead a little bit…

 

 

To properly tell this story I have to pick on my teammate, Josh Cooper, a little bit. We had made it to the city Chengdu and I was on the roof of our hostel doing my daily workout. I was in the middle of it when Josh walked up and sat down. I was a bit confused, he had a look of concern on his face and he just sat there as I continued. I thought for a moment that he was wanting to join me, but he made no attempt to grab my attention until after I was finished. (Josh later explained that when he was in the military that one rule was to never interrupt someone during while they’re working out.) When I finished I he walked up to me with that same look of concern and said “Hey man, God’s really laid something on my heart.” I thought, “Oh no, here comes a really hard conversation…”

 

Thankfully, there was nothing actually wrong. Josh explained to me that earlier that day he had set out on a mission to eat at a McDonald’s we had eaten at earlier that week. However, we were in a different hostel when we first ate McDonald’s and that detail had slipped his mind. Josh had set out on the same path he had taken before, yet this time with a completely different starting point (you can see how that would be problematic). Although his pursuit for the Golden Arches was essentially in vain, it was not unsuccessful. As he walked he took a right that he believed would take him to his goal. As he reached the “X” that marked the spot, it wasn’t a Mickey D’s that he found, but rather the treasure he found was Chengdu Sports Academy. Now Josh and I had talked about wanting to do sports ministry earlier that week, due to the restrictions that are set in China and simply the language barrier, we knew that sports are a powerful way to connect, especially among men. Josh told me that while he was there that he was eager to just jump in one of the many games of soccer being played at the time, except God ruined his fun momentarily and he felt like he should return to the hostel and get me (For Josh, to sacrifice soccer is a big deal!). Knowing that I have a brief background of being an Intramural Sports Director at my Alma Mater of LC (#ClawsUp) and that I had a history of playing sports, he knew that I would enjoy the Academy. So Josh returned to the hostel so that Joshua and Caleb could go and spy out this newfound land, so that we could report back to the rest of our team, just like the Old Testament dynamic duo. We went and we loved it. For the next three days we were in Chengdu and our team visited the academy to play sports with the students.

 

 

During my time in Chengdu I realized/confirmed passions I had and started to answer “What the heck do I want to do with my life?” For one, I realized my love for collegiate ministry. I was blessed to work at Louisiana College for a semester between my graduation and launch for the Race. During my time there, I fell in love with working with and pouring into the students. I loved the four years I was in college myself and there is nothing like being on a college campus. The community, the conversation, and the connections. I want to work with college students. I remember how hard the transition was for me my first year, I remember the direction that I wished I had, I remember the professors and staff who invested in my life. I want to be able to help those who are in the position I once was in. I want to help disciple young men and women as they enter into this pivotal season of their lives. Along with this, I see also a passion for higher education in my life as well as others.

 

Secondly, I realized my passion for fitness and athletics. I love sports and the way they can easily bring people together. I love how physical discipline and fitness works to help us in our emotional, mental, and even spiritual life. I love the way you learn persistence, endurance, and teamwork. Therefore, I would love to work in an athletic environment and maybe even eventually get my license in personal training. The idea of helping someone better themselves and see that progress in their life is an inspiring thought personally.

 

Thirdly, I re-re-reconfirmed my passion for missions as I was able to play with other “ballers” from around the world. I want to continue to work with others across the globe. I have developed an extreme case of wanderlust and only want to continue seeing this world and meeting new people as I proclaim the Gospel to the nations.

 

So what do I want to do with my life? I want to work in collegiate ministry in some form or fashion. My job title doesn’t matter as long as I am able to work with the students. I want to continue my education (I just submitted my application for my Masters degree this week) and possibly even be Dr. Fundie one day. I want to take care of my body in a way that honors God and allows me to participate in sports as long as I can. I want to partner with missions and travel every chance I get. I want to do all of this and probably a thousand more things. If I ever make my way into the career of professor, my aim is to be a Mr. Feeny/Indiana Jones style teacher. I know all of this may be a bit sporadic, but this is where I am! Some people back home are afraid that I have no plan for when I get home, so in a chaotic nutshell here it is (Mamaw, ;-D!)

Some final words, follow God with all you have, he will put in your heart the desires to pursue, then pursue those desires with endurance and with all the fire in your heart. Growing up doesn’t have to have the negative connotation that we so frequently attach to it, and it for sure isn’t synonymous with “settling down.” Whatever you chose to do with your life, please don’t make it about money or prestige. Make your path about loving God, loving people, and serving both God and people with in every way possible. As Kid President says, “It’s everybody’s duty to give the world a reason to dance.”