My Story – Part 1

After much thought and debate I decided to write about the season of life I just went through. I hope that it will somehow encourage you and let you know that no matter what you are currently going through, God is indeed in control. Always.
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“Today’s going to be your last day.”  Two words I thought I would never hear.  I packed my desk in shock. I turned in my key and parking pass and got into my car and drove home. I remember walking in the door and the dogs came running up to me and I said, “You guys will still love me right?” As I sat on my bed still in shock, a realization came over me. “God, you really were serious weren’t you?”

The previous week I had taken off on an adventure. Grabbed my Bible and some books and rented a cabin in East Tennessee. I wanted my “God Experience” that I hear so many talk about. On the last day of my stay, I got honest with God about my life. I asked some tough questions, shed some tears and then was asked a question back. “Do you trust me Wes? Do you trust the path and plans I have for you? Are you really ready?” I decided right then and there that this was a serious question I was being asked. I remember sitting on the kitchen floor contemplating on what I should do. I could either say, “Yes, I am. I’m yours.” Or I could live my life for myself and stop all this confusion right then. I told God that I accept his plans. I was ready to go where he leads. I was confident. I was ready world! Bring it on! I left the cabin on Saturday. I lost my job Monday.

Donald Miller calls this an inciting event. Something that throws you into the next chapter of your life. I wish I could tell you that this inciting event became an exciting event. I woke up most days with tears in my eyes. How can a 27 year old who was producing and directing commercials fall so hard so fast? How did I become an unemployed 27 year old overnight? How did I fail? And what the heck was God up to? Really? This was your plan??

For the next 3 1/2 months I invested in myself and tried to discover my passions. I read books, had coffee with friends and prayed. And prayed. What was overwhelming was the response from co-workers, vendors and friends. I was told numerous times how much our friendship meant to them. That’s where I found my passion. Investing in people and building relationships. It’s what made me feel alive. It’s what I love to do.

I remember having coffee with Blake Bergstrom and telling him that as naively as this is going to sound, I just wanted to “love people.” He looked at me with one of his Bergstrom looks and said, “that’s my job!” I would like to think that at that moment one of my eyebrows raised and then a light bulb lit up above my head. That’s it!

I believe that was another inciting event for me. That moment threw me into the pursuit. I knew what job I wanted, I just didn’t know how to get it. What could I offer a ministry?

Here’s what I want to convey about my journey to this point. God’s plan wasn’t fun. It wasn’t pretty. It hurt. It was painful. At times it seemed lonely and ridiculous, but I had no other choice. I accepted this path and said that I trusted where he was going to lead me. My character means more to God than my comfort. I trusted God, but I was still under the illusion that his plan was bound to be what I had imagined in my head.

I quickly found out that his plans might just be a little different than mine. Much different…