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Breaking away, huh? What exactly does that mean, Jeff? Great question.

I’ve already told you that it’s “halftime” for me. That’s a Christian term, I guess, linked with (originating from?) Bob Buford’s excellent book by the same name. But it simply means that if my life lines up with the statistics, then I’m at about the halfway mark. As such, I’m looking around and evaluating what’s important, and I believe God is calling me to walk away from one career and pursue another.

The truth is that it’s been a good run so far. By the world’s standards, I’ve been successful. For anyone who thinks that getting a raise or a promotion or delivering “the big project” are signs of significance, I guess I’ve done pretty well. But I don’t exactly see it that way, and I don’t think God does either. And either way, I know what the world couldn’t… That for too long I have ignored the call of God to devote my time and energy to greater things. It’s been there for a long time, grating on me. Pulling me to turn down the less-traveled path, but I have consistently stayed the course — more work, bigger projects, less time for the things of God. The road I’m on is starting to feel extremely broad. Every time I’ve achieved some status or victory in my work life, it’s just never felt right — like God’s whisper to pay attention to more important things, even to the level of some kind of misappropriation of my gifts and who I’m called to be. That sense of calling rings in my ears, and frankly, I can’t take it any more. The reality is that nightmares of the rich fool (see Luke 12:13-21) have woken me up in a cold sweat one too many times.

There’s a song called “Uncommon” written by Matthew West, and performed by Greg Long and Kristy Starling. It’s inspired by Tony Dungy’s book by the same name, and has become my rallying cry on this adventure. It says it all better than I could, so I thought I’d share it.

Please understand that I don’t see my transition as heroic or exemplary. Neither do I stand in judgment of others. If anything, I’m the poster child for taking too long to listen to God. I share these (somewhat embarrassing) things with you, not because I think they glorify me in any way, but because I believe it glorifies God. And frankly, it also holds me accountable.

The bottom line is that I cannot invest any more time spending myself on things that don’t really matter… the way I have for decades now. It hasn’t been just a little time either, it’s been long nights and heavy work weeks and no-room-for-anything-but-work kind of “spending myself” on transient and unimportant things. I can’t, I won’t, keep that up. Who knows how many days any of us have left!

So, with the remaining breath and strength God gives me, here’s my plan…

What if there’s something bigger for me out there
Than the comfort of a life on this middle ground?
I played it safe, but now I can’t help but wonder
If maybe I’ve been losing out.

‘Cause I look around and see a sea of people…
Everybody’s moving in the same direction.
And I think it’s time for me to break away.
Break away!

I wanna finally take the road less traveled.
I wanna run away from anything typical.
I want the world to see the life I’m livin’,
And call it “Uncommon”.

What if the right thing was harder than the wrong thing,
But I did it anyway?
Standing strong even when no one else was watchin’.
What if I really lived that way?

Every heart has it’s defining moment.
This is mine, and I’m not gonna miss it.

I wanna finally take the road less traveled.
I wanna run away from anything typical.
I want the world to see the life I’m living.
And call it “Uncommon”.

I don’t care if it makes me look different.
I’m never letting go of my convictions.
Let the world see the life I’m living,
And call it “Uncommon”.

I’m done with the easy way out.
Oh oh oh, I’m done with the easy way out.

What if I made it to the end of my days here,
Only to find that my legacy is nowhere to be found.
I don’t want to waste another second.
Give me the strength to start right now!
Right now. Right now. Right now!