Trust the Lord, if you dare.
4/28/25
This afternoon, I sat at this computer and texted just about everyone I knew. Some people I hadn’t connected with in years. But I texted them anyway.
That’s out of character for me, by the way. I felt a little off doing it. And, at the same time, I believe the work I’m beginning is worth it. I think people need to know I’m here—ready to step into whatever it is they need.
This is work I’ve done before. Many of my friends know that. Some even asked why I’m deciding to re-enter this space.
So I thought it might be worthwhile to share what God has been doing in me. Maybe that will shed some light on the “why.”
About six months ago, Emily and I decided it was time for me to begin planning life after African Leadership. Since 2023, I’ve worked in various roles at AL. But ultimately, we both knew it wasn’t my long-term place.
I love so much about African Leadership and the people there. Emily and her team are doing life-changing work. The time I’ve spent (and will continue to spend) in Africa has shaped me—and my family—forever.
And (always “and,” not “but”… it’s both), that is not the work God is calling me to do.
So in January, I set out on a mission to figure out what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I had really only one box to check: I wanted to make money.
I’ve never tried to make money. For the last 10 years, Emily has been the breadwinner. I figured it was my turn. I want to provide for my family, and to me, that means making money.
I began reaching out to friends (all of whom I texted today), searching for the connection that would lead to my next great job.
I had visions of working in sales, healthcare, tech, and real estate. I interviewed for a couple of jobs (they hired from within, FYI). I had countless coffees and lunches.
I have to say—my community showed up big time. I felt cared for, and I was confident I would find the perfect job.
The perfect job.
You know, the job that lets you make as much money as you want, while using all your God-given talents, with plenty of time for your family, and—of course—you’re passionate about it.
Because we’re supposed to do what we love, right? Supposed to have a passion. Supposed to pursue it. And if we work hard enough, long enough, we’ll be rewarded.
It’s just… there was a problem.
For the life of me, I could not tell you what I was passionate about.
I could tell you what I used to love (music), but now? I didn’t have a clue.
My heart wasn’t dead, but it was definitely missing.
And just to be clear—I had no idea this was the case.
I had decided to pursue real estate. I had signed up for classes and narrowed down a couple of broker options.
I was ready. And I was going to kill it.
deep sigh…
Then Friday, April 4th happened—three days after my 41st birthday.
I had a scheduled call with a coach I’d met back in January. He was helping me work through the process—find vision, make a plan.
I was excited to tell him what I’d decided: Real Estate.
I was going to make my money and sail off into the sunset.
We got on our 9am call and I gave him the full rundown.
When I finished, he just looked at me through the computer screen.
He glanced off to the side, then back at me, and said:
“I am not enrolled in that idea at all.”
Huh???
What do you mean you’re not enrolled? What kind of weird coaching talk is that?
He pressed in:
“What are you passionate about? What do you love? You’re this guy full of energy and life, and yet when you talk about this… something feels missing.”
I was stopped in my tracks.
Dang it. He saw me.
I knew something was missing. I didn’t want to admit it.
Because then I’d have to deal with it.
But when I said out loud, “I’m going to sell real estate,” it didn’t sound right.
I didn’t know what else there was.
I had no clue. I was forcing the issue.
I was searching for anything—because I had nothing.
The bathtub was empty and I needed a bath.
So I filled it with the first thing that seemed like water and was about to jump in.
Let’s pause here.
There’s nothing wrong with selling houses. Or tech. Or insurance. Or any of it.
I could have done it. Part of me will always wonder.
But what happened on that call with Garland (the coach dude who called me out… read more HERE) is that I stopped.
I stopped, and I asked myself:
Who am I serving?
What am I looking for?
Money? Success?
Both good things.
But in that moment, God made something clear:
I was leading this charge—not Him.
I was looking for my thing.
I was calling the shots.
I was making the decision.
And He reminded me—I’m really bad at that.
The shortest way to say it is:
God called me back to Himself.
God said a few things clearly to me:
Rob, you seek Me, and I’ll do the rest.
Rob, you’ll find your joy, passion, excitement, and fulfillment in Me—not in a job.
Rob, stop worshiping money and provision. That’s My job, not yours.
Rob, trust Me. Please, trust Me.
Trust God?
I don’t think I even trust myself.
Maybe that’s a good thing? I’m still learning.
But trusting God—there is power there.
So I made up my mind to give it a shot.
I would trust God.
I would stop building whatever tower I was building and wait. And listen.
I cancelled my real estate classes.
God met me there.
I asked Him to make my phone ring. That happened too.
I started spending more time with Him. Quiet. Listening. Reading. Writing.
But mostly… listening.
He met me there.
Each day since, I’ve kept doing this.
And each day, I’ve made the decisions that were in front of me.
On July 1, I’ll officially be done at African Leadership. Today, I officially re-launched my counseling practice. I believe this is what the Lord wants me to do. He is giving me peace. He’s giving me excitement. This is excitement I’ve never had! I know I have something powerful to offer. And I’m trusting the Lord.
I’m trusting the Lord.
Emily is trusting the Lord.
If He wants me here, He will provide what we need.
I want to do this out loud.
I want you to know what is happening.
I want to proclaim His goodness when He provides.
And I want you to be a part of it.
So… that’s how I got to today.
Well… at least the last few weeks.
More to come.
