When I moved to Kansas over six years ago, I promised myself I would never go back to California unless God called me back. I felt my position in Wichita was God honoring and I never wanted to jet just because it was cold or super hot. Of course it did get cold here. Very cold. We had days below zero. The coldest I could remember prior to Kansas was a special day in 7th grade where the grass had ice on it. We spent 30 minutes jumping on grass.
Once in Kansas, my desire to surf stayed strong, but frequent trips home helped. However, flights doubled in price and the cost doubled again with two children and our trips became less and less frequent. $2,000+ just to visit home?! Yikes. Over time I found myself acclimating to the weather. Recently I went outside in short sleeves and remarked at how nice it was...
It was 30 degrees.
I found myself unable to entertain moving back to San Diego for comfort or fun. The first few years here my grandmother sent me "Surfer Magazine" but every time it arrived, I threw it directly in the recycle bin. To me surfing movies and magazines had become "porno." Now I am not speaking of the reef ads where you see booty. (My wife rips those out!) I was actually speaking of my lust for recreation, family and the idea of home. I was concerned I would lust after surfing so much it would cause me to forsake where God was using me presently. Kansas friends invited me to watch surf movies and I refused. It was a weird place to be.
Eventually I found myself very comfortable in Kansas. I was being used by God in great ways for our downtown church plant. People engaged in worship and we were growing quickly. I found great contentment and grew to love Kansas. Also our band was putting out our best stuff yet.
It was in that moment of contentment, where I heard God calling me away from comfort in worship leadership and into a new position of church planter. I feel a bit green starting out again and there is much to be done. Once again I need to totally trust God for our all our needs in a more tangible way. Yet, I am watching surf movies again and enjoy dreaming of home without any fear of being outside God's call.
Yesterday I got a "worship leader magazine" in the mail.
I recycled it.