Moving Closer - Part 3

Part 3 is long overdue - thanks to those of you who have kindly reminded me. To recap from part two:

"Jumping back to October... After seeking God for answers I feel I came out with clear direction for my secular job as well as my passion to help people. I have mentioned previously in this blog that I have considered the possibility of being a pastor. At this particular time, I do not feel a leading to do that. Besides the witness in my own spirit, I also know my wife is not comfortable with that...It will take time for her (as well as myself) to be comfortable with the fact that God works through earthen (human and therefore flawed) vessels and that where He leads you, He will sustain you."

For a little over a year I have toyed with the idea of starting my own technology consulting business. Last October it became stronger in my spirit. I read several financial and business oriented books and felt even more comfortable with going in that direction. Last March I incorporated my business as a limited liability company and began working on strategy, website content, and so forth. At the end of June I was laid off from my job and it was a welcome separation. As I mentioned in Part 2, the company severely lacked in integrity. They received a $100,000 bonus from a client because of the work I did for them, but rather than share a little piece of that with me, they laid me off because there wasn't something else lined up for me. I am glad to be gone, that's for sure. They also charged the client 4x as much as they paid me. So, in my mind, why not go into business for myself, charge two or three times as much as my former salary, make much more because my overhead is low, and secure business because my bids will cost the client less? Everything has now been set up and my new company has been launched. I have joined local Chambers of Commerce and am contacting people I know to help me land my first client(s). It's a big move, but I believe God is in it.

From a ministry outlet standpoint, while I do not feel led to fill any kind of pastor role at this point, I do feel a leading to form a non-profit 501c3 organization and seek speaking engagements. My goal is to run my business in such a way that it can function without me. In other words, if I hire people to do the work and concentrate on seeking out new business, it will not hurt if I take a day or two off here and there to travel and speak at friends' churches. I have contacted an attorney and have received all the paperwork, but I am stuck on a name for the organization and have struggled with choosing members of the board. This is a big move as well, but I believe God is in it.

Erin W was the very first person I met in blog land back in November 2005. She is an inspiration and a good friend. She has recently taken major steps in her life which she described with the following:

I'm Standing in a River
I'm standing in a river.
Standing in a river, and the water's getting higher.
Calves cramp as my toes
curl around rocks on the river bed.
Curl to hang on.
Curl to hold my place.
To keep me upright.
To keep me in the centre of the river.
Takes so much energy to stay where I am...

Someday soon I'm gonna let go.
Uncurl my toes.
Resist hanging on.
Resist holding my place.
Resist staying upright.
Resist the need to stand in the centre of the river.

Someday soon I'm gonna take that energy
and swim.

Like Erin, I have let go and am now swimming. :)