Published by Moody Publishers on July 7, 2020
Genres: Non-Fiction, Christian Life
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
I want to live God’s calling, but where do I begin?
Be it in the midst of a spiritual lull, a midlife crisis, or an unforeseen pandemic, at some point all Christians feel the need to readdress and reorient to move toward God’s calling for their lives. What Now? is for anyone who wants to emerge from stagnation and envision what could be best for their next season of life. You’ll learn how to:
Be still and discern God’s will for your lifeRe-envision the possibilities of your calling Turn away from isolation and turn to healthy communityBoldly step out into the unknown with faithDon’t let confusion or fear of the unknown keep you from moving toward the fullness of God’s plan for your life. Instead, learn to listen to the spiritual whisper directing you to the next stage in your divine calling. As you long to live differently and find your heart awakening to new possibilities, What Now? will help you step forward bravely.
Two months ago, my wife and I pulled the trigger on a move we’d been planning for over two years. I had moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, seven years prior, taking on the positions of pastor and coach while she completed her undergrad, then graduate work. Shortly before she graduated, we adopted a baby. Next plan: travel the world. Time for me to take a sabbatical, then go back to school. Time for her to take a job that would allow us to travel and see where in the US we wanted to settle.
We were just a few weeks from that transition when another adoption opportunity dropped in our lap. We felt it was of God, so we took it. Just about two years later—with a two-year-old and one-year-old in tow and amid a global pandemic—made the move. Sold 90% of our possessions, including the house, and moved 700 miles to live with friends for the first leg of the transition.
Our movement into the next season has been a bit rocky. COVID19 has put to death many of original hopes to see the country, as well as making the job seeking process much more difficult, and my wife’s therapy job much different. Meanwhile, because my church was meeting online, I continued to pastor from a distance until early August.
As we look forward to what’s next, we’re truly asking the question: What Now? It was providential, I think, that this book fell into my lap when it did. Mark Jobe gave me hope, talked me through the tough times, and reminded me to stay the course and continue to live on the edge of faith.
What Now? is a tiny book. Hand-sized and around 90 pages, it’s a quick read. But several days after reading it, Jobe’s words and experiences have stuck with me. He gives readers five steps in moving into a new season:
- Quiet your soul to listen.
- Re-envision your life story.
- Adjust your thinking.
- Invite others to your journey.
- Take the bold first step.
I love that I can look back on our own move and see each of those steps play out in that order. And so now that we find ourselves a month out from the second leg of the journey with wildly different possible opportunities (Alaska, Philadelphia, or England…seriously), I have a written-down blueprint for moving forward.
It’s not easy. It’s not always fun. But if you are needing to take that first step into something new—or if COVID has left you without a job and forced into some new move—Mark Jobe can guide you through to the answer. What Now? is one of those books I’d encourage churches to buy in bulk and have on hand for anytime church members go through a move or a job change/loss. It’s a helpful look forward and Jobe’s retelling of his own experiences provides readers with a sense of solidarity.