You see many examples throughout
scripture that describe accounts where people were called by God to leave their
land, their families, their friends, their comfort, their shelter, and fully
rely on the trust and faith they have in God to fulfill a certain task. Some examples come to mind; the disciples, Jonah,
and Abram. Never did Helen or I think we
would be called or qualified to be put on that list. To uproot our family, leaving our house,
family, friends, comfort, and shelter to fulfill a certain task. Our thought was we’d be stationary, work
normal secure jobs, live in the same state and proximity where we grew up,
plugged into a church where we would serve within a ministry, close to family
and long-time friends. You know, just
like many other Christians. Well, these
past 6 months have been confirmation that God has other plans.
Realistically, things slowly started
about 4 years ago when I felt a calling to undergo a change of careers and
transition from Architecture to youth speaking.
Some of you may already know about that passion and desire. But for those that don’t, while I was a youth
pastor I had come across some advertisements for youth speaking. “Youth Speaking” would consist of traveling
near and far, allowing God to use the gift of communication to speak purpose
and hope into teenagers through church functions, schools, conferences, and any
other avenues God provides. With a lot
of research, prayers, life confirmations, and conversations with friends and
family, we decided that I would step down from the youth ministry and start a
new path with full time speaking as the end goal. Unfortunately, due to the lack of personal
commitment and financial burdens for the past 4 years, that end goal has yet to
be achieved. This is something that has
always been heavy on both Helen’s and my heart.
To know what God desires of you and not obey should really put a heavy
burden on anybody’s heart if they have a true passion to live for him. And with that heavy heart, Helen and I have
come to a realization, these past 6 months, something has to change.
What I thought was a life full of
comfort and security, was truly a life full of narcissism and disobedience. Seems a little too harsh? Well, I think a full examination of what your
life consists of can do that to you. Not
saying that there wasn’t any “good” in our lives, but “good” is not our desire. Our focus as a family is to have a
“righteous” and “obedient” life. And of
course, based on scripture, when we are a righteous and obedient family, God
will bless us with a “GREAT” life; both here on Earth and with him in eternity. So after seeing our life for what it was, a
false façade full of doubt and fear, we both agreed that changes had to be done
in order for our life to be in line with where Christ wants us.
So after much prayer, research, and
conversations, we knew what changes need to occur. One was that we had to move out of
California. Not only to avoid the 91
freeway (even though that has value) but to get out of our “comfortable.” We realized that we were using the life we
were comfortable with as an excuse for not pursuing what we know we should be
doing. We are firm believers that sometimes
God switches things up in order for us to be uncomfortable, which requires us
to move in the direction he wants us.
There were also other factors that led to this decision, including, the
cost of living, present and futures laws and regulations, temptations to
continue Architecture instead of speaking, financial freedom, over population,
and way of life. We realized that what
we desire for our family was not obtainable here in California. The second change was the full commitment to
pursue a speaking career, closing A+ Design and my journey down the
Architecture road. Helen will continue
to sell Lularoe, so make sure to keep posted on her sales. J These two major changes were not easy to
admit and commit to, and we’re not sure their outcomes, but we are striving to
do our best when it comes to being obedient to God and raising our children the
best we know how. So it’s time for the
McNiel family to pack up and begin this journey with God to Prattville,
Alabama.
Although there is excitement for this
new journey filled with wonder of how God is going to use us mightily for his
kingdom, this move brings on sadness because of how this departure will affect
existing relationships we have developed here.
Whether family, colleagues, clients, or friends, we know this decision
will make you all feel some sadness (or at least we’d hope so). J But we ask that you keep in mind that this
decision is not based on our desire to escape from relationships or that
relationships here in Southern Calilfornia are not worth staying for, but
rather to understand that our family’s relationship with Christ is above
all. We will miss you all and hope that
distance will not hinder us from staying connected and in relationship. Come to think of it, why not head out there
with us? haha
We are hoping, with this decision,
God will bless our obedience and use our family in a mighty way in
Alabama. We ask for prayer and support
for this new journey. This is for His
glory and not ours. We are also hoping
it will encourage everyone to be in constant communication with God, and seek
him first; above all! Heck, maybe our
move will be the starting point to your new journey outside of your
“comfortable.” May you be obedient and
righteous in your relationship with Christ and may He bless you as He has
blessed us! If you would like to
continue to be connected with our journey we will be posting periodically here,
so subscribe! And if you would like to
talk in more detail about this, we would love to share more with you. Just contact us and we can set something up.
We love you all and will miss you
from 2,000 miles away!
