I have been taking my time to write this post, not by choice, but by the nature and opportunity of life. The funny thing is, as life has intensified the past several weeks, the fleece has begun to show it’s colors; I now know where I am being called to “wage the good warfare” and consequently, what the fleece is revealing to me. I know what my hand at the blackjack table is.

You will be let into these details in the coming weeks - for now I’m sitting on it. I’m pretty confident I know how God is moving, in the now. The next holy risk has been defined - but there are more to come. For them, I will decipher and explore; for them, I will be ready.

Instead, of filling you in on this part of the story, I want to say something else.

Spring semester of 2012 at Talbot School of Theology, I asked God to let me come into the semester with an open mind and clear soul. I asked for the ability to fully see and discern what God is up to with no bias against or towards Talbot. In order to lay out the fleece, I needed an open mind. If I had blinders or even tunnel vision, how could I ever fully get rid of the thoughts of Jonathon Welch and listen to the Holy Spirit to discern what the next, best, right step was?

By taking this posture of laying out the fleece and holding my life loosely - I have come to appreciate Talbot (and in some ways BIOLA) - this does not mean I agree with BIOLA (and Christian schools) or even the way Talbot conducts itself - but I have come to a place of appreciation. One of the things I appreciate most, is Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation and a thing called “Spiritual Direction”. 

I love Spiritual Direction; my first visit I was a doubter.

Now, I want to continue it past my requirements for school - no matter where I go to seminary.

Talbot does some things really well. Two of my three professors this semester are men I deeply respect and like. One out of my three classes is blowing my mind (thank you Baby Saucy). Being on campus for Talbot, for the past two years has been an eye opening experience. God has taught me a lot about culture. It cannot be forgotten. He has also taught me a lot about myself and the way I am wired. 

In the past two years, I’ve been able to glean a lot of what Talbot does or does not do well. In the process, I’ve fully realized who Jonathon Welch is and how he is wired. It is time to step into it. It is time to unleash who I am. The time has come to fully charge after the calling and gifting inherit in me.

I’m excited for what comes next…