Fact #25

Hippies can be business-savvy too.

Normally I drive to St. Charles for church at Redeemer Fellowship on Sunday mornings.  I meet up with Allen, Patrick, Kelsey, Anna, and anyone else who feels like tagging along, at Judson, and we all trek over there for the morning.  Not today though.  Had a job interview at REI in Schaumburg.

REI is a co-op for outdoor gear.  My cousin Joe works there on the weekends and helped me get an interview.  They donate 10% of their yearly profits before they divide it up for raises, bonuses, promotions, etc. to local non-profit organizations and schools so they can include outdoor programs.  They clean up their local nature centers and forest preserves, and they go on kayak and climbing tours on the weekends.  Because they like each other. And they like their community. And they care.

The more they spoke at the hiring presentation, the more I prayed for God to give me this opportunity.  I never thought work had the potential to be an escape, but this definitely felt like a safe-haven.  I was so energized by everyone I spoke to!  And it was a funny thing…when I had sent in an application for employment a week ago, it had clearly said to not include anything involving religious persuasions or convictions because they try to be an “open, non-judgmental environment.”  But in my interview when they asked me why I loved the outdoors, and I talked about how it was God’s creation and we needed to be stewards of it and enjoy the blessing it is.  I told them about Restoring Eden (a Christian ecology activist group) and what my old roommate and I did with the LEED evaluations of Judson and the fact that I was in seminary and they were excited.  I was shocked, because I hadn’t meant to say anything about any of it, and it just…came out.  And they loved it.

I really hope God’s preparing something for me there, because that interview filled me more than anything has all week.

I told Leesa, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Quicke that I felt more comfortable around non-Christians than Christians. I’m afraid that now I’m just running from the very thing I wanted to work on.  But I don’t know if that’s even what I’m doing.  Maybe God actually wants me to do something there.

God, make things clear.  I feel like that’s the first breath of fresh air I’ve had outside of these devotions so far.

Psalm 116: 1-4


“I love the Lord, because he had heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.  Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.  The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered in distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord:  O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

Where Do I See God At Work?

At REI, whether I'm there or not.

What Do I Hear God Saying?

"Don't get ahead of yourself.  Trust me first."

Where Do I see God moving?

Unsure yet.

Fact #7

Opportunity is petrifying.


"You're so talented! You should totally go for it; it's the chance of a lifetime!"

I listened to B's words as I stared at my computer screen, half excitement, half dread pounding in the cavity that, while normally contains food, now housed my heart. No...nono...not possible...they would never... But yes...they would. And did.

The situation was this: one of my favorite bands, intimidatingly indie in their brilliance and threateningly accessible in their enrollment at my school, recently posted the following on their Facebook status:

one new person can play with us at any of our shows. here is what we are looking for: horns, keyboard, glockenspiel, violin, cello, viola, choir... whatever else you can convince us is cool first come first serve anyone up for the beat kitchen show!!

You're always safe dreaming dreams. You're completely fine talking about them, laughing as you describe the quintessential moment that allows you to shine. You're comfortable planning steps to achieve everything you could hope for. You're safe laboriously going over every detail of that pinnacle point of your personal history.

Then Opportunity rears its ugly head, demanding you to act.

It doesn't help that this particular chance was brought to my attention immediately following the Oscars, the one television event that reminds me of my hopes and dreams as they glide seamlessly glide across stage. That, however, is hardly an attainable goal at this point.

There are two things I love third to God and my family, respectively: acting and making music. Now acting right now, is an opportunity that ebbs and flows like a steady tide. Four shows a year, plus improv and a troupe for chapel. It's opportunity I'm comfortable with.

I haven't played music for anyone save myself and my lessons profs since high school. I miss it, especially that incandescent comfort you get playing with other musicians you've become to trust. But, being as reserved with my trust as I am, I'm more afraid of performing music than anything, acting included. Acting requires you to represent someone else, or their ideas of humanity. Music demands your most absolute self.

here is what we are looking for: horns, keyboard, glockenspiel, violin, cello, viola, choir...

Here's what I'm looking for: courage, patience, and grace.

See you at the Beat Kitchen.