Teaching this year has subjected me to countless lessons in trust and dependence. I had a plan coming out of college - give up engineering in order to pursue interests in education. I chose to follow my God-given passions for imparting skills and knowledge to others. It is not very productive for me to muse the validity of my thoughts and actions this time last year. One thing I know for sure, however. After choosing an Outward Bound internship over a consulting engineering internship for the summer of junior year, I chose to embark on a journey following my passions for the outdoors and education. I'm confident I learned a heck of a lot more than my students did this past year.
God has given me a heart for enjoying His natural creation from talus peaks to wildflower laden valleys, from the barren desert to the fertile Smokies. He also instilled a talent for teaching. The idea of teaching in a classroom came to me while sitting in a fifth-wheel trailer in Silverton, CO. I was supporting a 30-day mountaineering course in the San Juan Mountains with Outward Bound. It was one of many influential experiences that summer. Leading trips for 200 days per year didn't seem like an adequate career aspiration, however, for me, a college educated, talented guy with a serious girlfriend in Nashville, TN. Teaching seemed like a job that could fulfill some of my desires to share information with others. Plus, the many breaks are a bonus. Alas, being in the classroom teaching freshman algebra to inner city kids just doesn't cut it for me. There goes the plan.
Where do I go from here then? Do I really leave a stable job as a teacher to embark on some journey in outdoor education? That is the question I have struggled with for many months. The longer I thought on it, prayed about it, and searched my heart, the more confident I became in making it. In John Eldridge's book, Wild at Heart (which has been very influential in my life), he quotes an inspiring Howard Thurman:
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."I've spent a lot of time in scripture over the past 8 months. Passages in James, Corinthians, Psalms, Luke, Deuteronomy and more have convicted me to turn my entire life over to God, trust that he has a grand and amazing plan for me, and to follow my heart. I believe that the Jesus makes clear His purpose on Earth in John 10:10.
"I have come that they might have life, and have it to the fullest."Personally, I feel most alive and closest to God when enjoying his Creation. I know I can fulfill my mission to share the Gospel through outdoor adventure, as well. Some day, a ways down this winding path I'm on, I would like to run a Gospel-centered outdoor program for young men and father & son groups. With that end in mind, I am trying to stay to a path that will enable me to one day accomplish such an endeavor. Thus far, my experiences with outdoor ed and traditional ed, along with the church, are a good start. I have built a solid foundation. In the future, I would like to gain more experiences in logistics, management, education/instruction, and gospel teaching.
Currently, I am pursuing two positions in the outdoor arena. One is a climbing instructor position. The other is a representative with a gear company. Both would enable me to grow a lot and I am not sure if God will ultimately lead me to either company. Regardless, I trust that His plan is in action and He will provide for me as He always has for His people.
I will update when I get news. Until then,
Cheers.
