In the year leading up to my first job as a children’s minister, I had several interviews with churches all over Texas (and one in Florida. I had so hoped that one would’ve worked out. But I love my Big Springs crew. . .). One of the questions I hated being asked was, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” or some variation of that. 

. . . 

If I say, “I don’t know” it looks like  I don’t have a plan. 

If I say, “Working in this church” I look pushy. 

If I say, “Wherever God wants me” it looks like a cop-out. . .but, what if that was the truth? I don’t know where I see myself in 5 years. I’d like to think that being in ministry, I would see myself in the center of wherever God wants me to be or go. Yet, I read so many well meaning articles and hear so much well intended advice from friends/mentors, that I feel like that answer isn’t good enough. 

But, good enough for whom? I don’t know.

 

Honestly, some days I feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants (some days I totally am). Then other days, even in the midst of the chaos in my heart because “I don’t have a plan”,  I’m at ease because I know that I don’t need to know the details. I know that I love Jesus. I know that I chose to serve in ministry as a vocation. I know that I am where I am right now and that I need to do the best  I can. The rest? I trust in a God who always provides. Simple? Maybe. But, from what I’ve seen in my own life, my plan is never (ever) as good as the one Jesus has. . .ever. I dream and plan in a finite way, armed only with the knowledge of who I am at this moment, not who I am becoming. My Jesus sees me for who I am becoming and gives so much more than I even knew I wanted. 

I have dreams, sure. I want to write a book. I don’t know how or on what, but those nuances. And I want to help people. I try to do that now. 

My “plan” is to keep becoming. To keep seeking. To keep learning. And to love God. love people. and do stuff. (Thanks, Bob Goff).