I'm not exactly sure why, but my social media engagement levels (which only constitutes facebook anyway) are presently at an all time low. Accordingly, it seems a bit ironic to be sharing my latest blog post here - on social media. Anyway, i suppose we are now a society of ironies, chronies and loonies, so I'll just be one.
I think the second half of 2023 for me is a story of 'being careful what you ask for'. I mean, during my extended 'unemployed' Sabbath earlier in the year, the Lord challenged me to write down exactly what job I wanted. This makes complete sense of course, but in reality, is much easier said than done.
The reason for this, is firstly you have to actually believe that God wants to answer your prayers, secondly that if he doesn't, you won't fall apart, and thirdly that what you're asking for actually lines up with what you believe. This third point of course, is a great irony in much of religion today, but we'll just leave it at that.
So here's some of what Dannean and i wrote down 9 years ago in our 10 year vision and start of our Walkerville Adventure. In particular, farming, schooling & training, and a transformed church, constituted 3 of the last 4 elements making up season 4 (years 6-10) of the vision (ref the graphic below). Interestingly enough, I actually blogged about exactly this 18 months ago, and have included an extract thereof below, in light of where I presently find myself...
'Lastly, on the work front, my desire to generate an income from something I actually believe in / am passionate about, burns stronger than ever. And so while I remain incredibly grateful for the past 5 years of corporate assessments and reporting, the Lord knows I've paid my independent contractor dues! My heart's desire remains to be doing (full time & paid for) community development in a shape and form that facilitates real transformation. One year into Season 4 of the vision (above), I do wonder where we're going to end up, but for now, the Lord holds those cards, so we'll just carrying on watering the tree (vision), and let him take care of the growth.' (extracted from July 2022 post - Pre-destined for a Post-everything World!)
I find it pretty amazing, that 18 months after blogging this, I have just concluded the first half of a 12 month contract as a full time community development agent, majoring in education, farming and church planting! If that isn't God, tell me what is? The challenging part of this however, is that its been 9 years in the making... But feels like we're only just getting started!
Truth be told, I am a complete novice in the area of farming, but have been most grateful to U Can Grow (the company I'm currently secondered to) for the opportunity to learn about vege farming, supply and packsheds. From an education & training perspective, Eduship (our private homeschool) continues to work really well for our family, with Izzy (our 8 year old daughter) being the latest edition. And lastly, our 6 month old church plant is up and running, and like any good baby, continues to add much joy, pain and purpose to our lives!
So, other than this, and at the risk of boring you, or trying to prove the reason for my existence on Facebook, I think let me bring this post to a close, just like 2023. May the good Lord continue to bless and keep all of you who know the love and kindness of our Father in heaven. And to those of us still searching, I pray that 2024 will be the year you come to put your trust in the Author of life (Acts 3:15) and sustainer of the universe (Heb. 1:3).
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