Step Into it

When I was first asked about my interest in becoming the Hospitality Center’s new Executive Director, I politely said “no” to everyone. I was comfortable being Office Manager and even wondered if the transition period indicated I should look for a new opportunity outside the organization. Even though I was 99% sure of these thoughts,  I decided to ask my wife Sarah once more if I should consider the position. She said absolutely. Her immediate and firm reply led to six hours of discussion, prayer, journaling, going through pros and cons, and more questions. I asked her if I was really meant to lead the organization since I didn’t feel the fire and energy I had when Tim hired me as the Program Coordinator back in 2014. She reminded me that I am longer the youthful unmarried man without a home or a daughter. She told me the organization needed who I am today—a quiet and steady presence whose faithfulness to the mission is just as valuable as the passion. Finally, she added that I thrive off of new challenges and need to step out from always being comfortable behind the scenes as the Office Manager.
 
Craig Groeschel put it this way in a leadership podcast I heard about a month later. His words resonated powerfully with my position at the time: ​

You are one step away from leading your organization to where it is supposed to go. You are one step away from believing you have what it takes. You are one step away from the vision casting that draws people who would join you. Step into it. Recognize you don’t have to know it all. You don’t have to be perfect. But you have been chosen for this moment. Step into it. You have everything you need to do everything you are called to do.

Remembering his comment again now stirs up my emotions. I didn’t know that I was one step away. But that is what happened. In those six hours with my wife, I watched my heart literally open up to desire the job. I have never experienced this kind of heart movement before in such a short time. Normally, God reveals his will to me specifically after I take action on a decision with confirmations over time in the future. But this was a true appointment before any action. This resulted in an email to the board at 11:30pm that my heart changed. I wanted the job, and shared the reasons why.

God has been showing me he wants to use me to lead in ways I never wanted or pursued. He doesn’t want me to stay comfortable. He appointed me. Now, a month and two weeks later, here I am—hungry, confident, excited, and prayerful. God will indeed give me everything I need to do everything I am called to do.

Today, I ask for you to pray for the mission of the Hospitality Center. Pray that students are loved and impacted by our staff and community during their time here in the Twin Cities.