I’ve been intentionally out of work for the last three weeks, and it has been rather surreal. My last day at the church felt like a retirement party, though I’m still way too young to retire. My people were kind, generous, encouraging, and thankful, and I sense that the Lord used me to do good things in the last 10 years at that place. Now, I’m a “civilian“, in that I just go to church. with my family. I have enjoyed this immensely.

People ask what my plan is. I have no plan, except to start working again sometime next year.

I had a dream last night that I was a substitute teacher, which I’ve considered doing this fall while I’m in between gigs.

I’d like to crank out a book, something I’ve been working on for 15 years.

I’m itching to start broadcasting again, whether it’s online or on the radio, or both.

Indeed, I do feel pressure to find a job, but I know that I’m not ready yet. I never had a sabbatical, and I’ve never been truly unemployed until now. This actually works to my benefit:

• not working gives me a chance to slow down long enough to get a hold of myself beyond my vocational identity.
• not working allows me to take time to assess the world and the job market, and to try something new, exciting, and maybe even outlandish.
• not working gives me a chance to make new friends and establish new connections, while still maintaining friendships and connections I’ve had for years.
• not working allows me to focus on merging a blended family, which truly is a full-time job right now.

The last point is most important. Nobody else can do the job I’m doing right now, namely, being a husband and a dad. Every other job I’ve had includes the replaceability factor, meaning that dozens if not thousands of people could easily replace me.

Until then, I’m just watching and waiting and trusting. A door will open, a business idea will strike me, and I am already preparing to be surprised.

I am maintaining my disciplines and sharpening my morning routine that I’ve practiced for years now, which includes prayer, exercise, and reading/writing. Thankfully, I don’t have to start from scratch in that arena. There is a whole lot of newness in my life, but the basics are still there, and, thankfully, going well.

It is a gift and a curse to have time like this. The curse is that I feel like I’m not contributing and that I’m wasting time. The gift is that I have a chance to really prepare make a go of whatever is next.

In my observation, a majority of people don’t like their jobs. Why is that? Why do we do things that we hate? Why do we knowingly step into a trap of misery?

I’ve also come to terms with the fact that I don’t have to love my job in order to make the world a better place. My life is not my job. My life is my faith, my family, and my friends. A job just means food on the table and necessities met, which I’m not worried about, at least not yet.

What are some things you would do if you had time like this? i’m curious…