The Next Big Move

The unknown. The unexpected. Scary concepts, no doubt, and even crippling for many. I'll have to admit, stepping out of my comfort zone, out of what is familiar to me, into what I ultimately feel a sense of calling, is frightening. I feel like Winston in Orwell's 1984: "It was curious that he seemed not merely to have lost the power of expressing himself, but even to have forgotten what it was that he had originally intended to say. For weeks past he had been making ready for this moment, and it had never crossed his mind that anything would be needed except courage." Courage can only take a person so far as you have to be prepared for what is to come. You have to know, you have to find what it is you really want to do, what you really want to say. Be ready for the moment! If you're not, then you might miss the opportunity when it comes and who knows when the next one will come along? Thus, starting the cycle all over again.

To me, the question then becomes, "How are you supposed to prepare for the unknown? It seems even more impossible to prepare for the unexpected!" School, career, spouse, etc? If we continually live in fear, scared to actually take the next step, then we might as well bunker down in a small studio apartment, order take-out every night, and stare at a blank space on the wall because that might actually be one of the least "scary" ways to live. But, I believe we were made for something bigger than this!

For me (us, our family), the answer is faith. A faith, thankfully, redeemed and rescued in grace! We all have faith. We all believe in something. It's impossible to not have faith or believe in something. This is the way God created us, whether this falls into your line of thinking or not. For example, faith is usually reserved for those who do believe in God, or that He even exists, but not for those who do not believe. But, even for the unbeliever, whether you believe it or not, your faith is rooted in your unbelief. You have faith that God is not real. So, no matter where you're at in life or what you're doing, you have faith in something! (pretty sure I got that from Keller, so, noted!) And, here's the cool thing: not every one's response to faith looks exactly the same. Yes, there is a true faith and a pseudo-faith, and, without getting too theological or preachy (because I'm really just trying to give some background here!), your faith affects your decisions in life.

This brings us to my family's story. Faith has led, or directed us, to what is a pretty big step in this crazy, adventurous journey we call life! Kelly (my beautiful wife!) and I were raised in small towns but we both have always had a desire to live in larger, or even major cities. This is just the way we're wired and that's okay!

When I began the quest towards vocational ministry, I thought I had everything figured out. This was exactly what God wanted me to do and things from here on out were going to be "easy-peasy", right? Wrong! Very much wrong! Then I met Kelly, and what little bit I may have had figured out drastically changed. See, Kelly has had the missionary call on her heart from an early age. She's a go-getter, a traveler, an explorer, she loves people and she wants to share the hope of God with them! I changed for the better. I began to see the future and opportunities through a different set of lenses. It may be unknown and we have no idea what to expect but it's wide open! We can rest and have peace, because we ultimately trust that God's sovereign plan is at work in us.

So, here we are, about to embark on the next big move! I'm scared. We're scared. We don't know what's going to happen. We don't know how things are going to ultimately pan out, but that's okay! Because all we can do is be obedient and continue to walk through doors when they are opened, and trust God's work.

I bet you're wondering where we're going!?

Get to the good stuff Chris! Where is this "next big move" taking you? C'mon already!!

(Drum roll please....)

The McCalls are headed to Indianapolis, Indiana! We are joining a brand new church plant (sounds redundant but I can explain later) on the southeast side of Indy called Refuge Bible Church, where I will officially serve as Worship Leader. Kelly will be able to do the things closest to her heart as well (i.e. missions, photography, planning, being awesome, etc.) of which we plan to document right here on our blog!

Four years ago, maybe even as soon as three, I thought it was absolutely impossible to leave behind what seemed secure. Such as, full-time jobs, financial security, and everything else that makes sense in this world. But, for me and my family, trying to follow God's direction and truly "go" where He is sending us is what's most important. These are the things that truly matter! And, these are things that, as missionaries, as church planters, we simply cannot ignore.

We're not writing this to only be another voice in a world that's so loud and busy that you can't see the forest for the trees. We're writing this for our families and friends (old, new, and future) to be able to journey with us in this crazy, unknown and unexpected life! We also realize the power in staying connected, whether its face to face or through computer air waves (I seriously don't know how the internet works). We have much to learn and we are growing everyday. As husband and wife, mom and dad, church planters and missionaries, etc. You name it? We're growing in it. We welcome your encouragement and wisdom and how all of that fits as part of God's grand plan.

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