Friday, March 5, 2010

Breaking Outside My Little World – What a Feeling

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Today’s Blog Post


Breaking Outside My Little World – What a Feeling

Meeting with other business people may be the most important step in my future. Looking outside my little world is maybe the greatest value that I have added to my new life. It lets me leap into a new world way beyond what I have known.

In reading a Book entitled Brave Work the author states of the transitions in life after leaving or losing a job…
“The good news is that out of the collapse, new directions, alliances, opportunities and insights will form. When we dissolve to the person we were, we are born anew.”
After reading the words I have been processing them.

Last evening I hosted/attended a function of a Business Network. Business folk all of all sorts came together to meet each other, share ideas, and generally support one another. The businesses are all different from each other.

The unique thing about this meeting for me is that I was the “greeter” and kind of host for the meeting which we held at the church building that I used to be the Pastor of. We were meeting in one of the larger meeting rooms. Two years ago I was the man in charge of the facility and responsible for all that happens. Last night I was a guest to the building and a part of a meeting happening in the building.

I hope that isn’t too confusing.

There was a rush of emotions that came with being in the building for a meeting. So many memories of the 10 years that I was the leader of this church. Now I am kind of an “outsider”.

The meeting went very well. I met some amazing people that conduct their businesses in our city. For the 12 years that I have lived here I never crossed paths with any of these folks. Now they are my new friends.

Deep breath now… breath in… breath out… breath in… breath out…

As I entered the building last evening to set up for the group I noticed lights on down the hallway. As I passed the area I looked in from outside the office area/boardroom area. Hokey Mokey! There was the Church Board Meeting taking place with some very important officials from our District Office – mixed with some other folks that I knew as well.

It was like an electric shock went through my body. ZAP! I was looking into to what I used to do – now as an outsider completely. The group was in deep discussion that could not be disturbed. This was a high level meeting that was taking place and only “those in the know” and leadership were allowed to know what was taking place.

Background…
About two weeks ago the new pastor at Northview Church, the one that replaced me, resigned for personal reasons. It happened suddenly without any warning. It has also been a shocker for most of the people that attend the church – as well as me as the former Minister.

The meeting last night was one that was dealing with the future and what will take place next as they grapple with the present crisis.

As I looked in through the windows I shuddered. I was awash with emotions of all sorts that I could not deal with adequately. I walked on.

The great contrast to what I felt in those early moments was the delight of the new friends that I was meeting just down the hallway. The differences could not be any greater. Talk about emotions. Talk about a roller coaster of feelings.

The new group left at 9 PM. I wrapped up what I had to do and walked down the hallway to turn off the lights. They Church Board was still in their meeting. I went home and they continued on.

This morning I have realized in a new way that
“The good news is that out of the collapse, new directions, alliances, opportunities and insights will form. When we dissolve to the person we were, we are born anew.”

I am dealing with new emotions of freedom. I feel a whole lot like a slave that has been set free. I have my small pack of clothes on my shoulder and I am walking away from the Plantation down the road to a new life… no real idea of what will happen next. But I am free.

I doubt very much that these words can tell you just how wonderful it is to be out of there. Thank you God for a NEW LIFE!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

1 comment:

Brenda said...

This is a Great Blog--full of Hope.
You surely did answer one question I've had: Would you go Back if asked???? Be Interim??

Sure sounds like you're in a much happier space now. Good for you!