Listen to the commentary
Talk about “late to the party!”
In the era when magazines and printed publications are on the way out, COSTCO is going against the grain: the COSTCO Connection goes out every month to 123 million members across America. Though principally a 100-page advertisement for their products, they lure readers with a meaningful cover article designed to draw broad attention. The August edition hit me with the headliner: New Paths: navigating the discovery or rediscovery of a new direction later in life.
Here’s the internal publisher’s note: “At a point in life when many are winding down their careers, these folks have discovered or rediscovered long-dormant passions that have ignited a burst of energy and propelled them into new, meaningful directions. Life is short. We want to make the most of our time here… What’s your “what if?”
They devote six pages to briefs on seven stories – all COSTCO card holders – and their bold reinventions in midlife. Bank executive and realtor turned woodworker. Elementary school teacher turned baker. Environmental consultant turned painter. Photography professor turned documentarian. Film, book and cartoon producer turned college professor. As one quipped, “Life is too short to wait. The sooner you make the leap the better. Find and surround yourself with people who can support you during this scary, yet incredible transition. Be true to yourself and make an extraordinary leap of faith.”
I’m afraid that COSTCO is a little late to the party. A few weeks ago, I finished (re)reading a fascinating but selective account of history that tells the story of scores of people whose midlife choices set them into heroic paths that have now become historic epics, known and renowned across cultures and generations.
Short stories that are long on courage and challenge: a goat-herder who went up against the most powerful political leader of his generation and led two million ethnic slaves out of bondage and toward their divinely-provided homeland. A youngest-of-eight kid who was tasked with the grubbiest work on the family farm who was tapped to become the next king of his country, and then promised a dynasty that would never end. The son of a carpenter from an obscure village who went viral at 30 and launched the most influential movement ever seen on the international stage. A religious zealot and professional craftsman who did a radical 180 and joined forces with the same start-up spiritual enterprise that he had vowed to bury, becoming their most effective spokesman and promoter until he was killed by his detractors.
These – and hundreds more! – are all brief biographies of people in the Bible whose lives were intercepted mid-life and re-directed into second half adventures that defied the predictions of those who knew them best while launching conventional life pursuits in their early adult years.
I picked up the Connection and felt the affirmation: we launched The Master’s Program over 25 years ago, with the offer to help men and women who shared faith in the Lord Jesus and experience as high-influence leaders in finding and accelerating into the unique lane of their eternal Kingdom life calling.
The yearnings are very real: longing to live with intentionality and legacy founded on transformative faith and biblical truth is the seed of potential planted in each of us by our Creator and Savior. Lost people feel their Creator’s imprint but lack the enlightenment of the Savior.
There’s a comment opportunity, down at the bottom of this page. Through your experience with us, have you found “New Paths” regarding your role in God’s eternal Kingdom? If so, leave a comment that will summarize your amazing synopsis; our circulation isn’t 123 million, but you’ll encourage me and others in your story! Have you found your lane, and are you accelerating in what He’s called you to do?
I don’t think my “new path” is amazing, but I committed my life to serving in an IT and cybersecurity role for Christian ministries serving the most persecuted, and then to funding and building a ranch here in southwestern Colorado as a respite for those returning from such places – a place to rest, restore, serve, work in the fields, convene, pray, cry, heal, etc. together. It’s not easy, but it is immensely rewarding. I travel 250,000 miles a year, but don’t have a TV. I meet the most amazing people, but I am not on LinkedIn. I am just a servant blessed by our Creator. And, I am so very thankful to have met Bob, and have him pour into my life what it means to discern and follow your kingdom calling.
After 10 years of engagement with Bob/TMP and getting “shanked” into the realization of God’s bigger (and better) purposes for my life than my foolish foibles, I can say that things are different. I engaged MARGIN first (a little unconventional), as my attention was so wrapped up in business pursuits that there was barely enough for my wife and girls — and NONE for increasing anything. Then came BALANCE of really upping my game with my girls and wife (best days and Dream-master became annual events). That space and increase in my relational depth with Father opened up a generosity journey and ministry involvement at a whole new level. Leadership at the board level with dynamic world changing impact, partnering with Finishing Fund to complete the 2000+ year mission of the church and numerous opportunities to assist the Kingdom grow through those called to frontline has provided three important new distinctions: 1) the peer group is different — not as good at golf, but better at life and others, 2) the conversations at home are different — not just the next renovation or fun trip — but how we can join God together to spread His joy; and 3) the morning is met each day with a new hope and expectation that He wants to change lives today — and we can be a part of it! Bless you, Bob, for disrupting, challenging and encouraging me to greater things.
Yup! Bex
Because you kept after me decades ago. I wrote “My Story” (and have updated it periodically ever since). Here, Bob, it is. Again, Mahalo nui loa. If it seves, even only for a few to whom I hand it) (thanks to Al Enderle’s example), in heaven, you will be blessed! https://mystory.me/story/shg/
At age 52, with opportunity and trusting God, I launched my first business after two decades as a salaried academic radiologist. During that time, God often pruned me and then groomed me for the next steps in my life. Several Christ focused companies later, they were recently sold and I so-called “retired”. But that is a misnomer; besides more opportunities to serve in the Kingdom, I am now, at nearly 84, pouring much of my life into my young grandchildren that they may have a greater impact for the Lord than I. That is a greater satisfaction than any of my previous ventures! Those produced results for a while but discipling potential disciplers should be impactful for generations!
Bob, That TMP was the catalyst for what has now become a life changing experience is an incredible understatement. When I started TMP I had a sense that God was moving me out of my “comfort zone” into a whole new direction in life. You pushed my buttons at every TMP session. It was like I was the only one in the room you were speaking to. That TMP flew by and had a huge impact on my life, my family’s life, is again an understatement. Thank you for pouring into my life, my family’s lives, and God’s ministry to active duty military service members through Soul Survivor Outdoor. Semper Fi, Rick http://www.soulsurvivor outdoor.org
When I joined TMP (early in TMP’s legacy!) to get revelation on my calling and purpose, what was revealed to me then was I am designed and motivated to impact others with their calling and purpose! I was not expecting that, but I have been doing that as well a sharing so many paradigms learned from TMP quite often. It’s about time to “retire” (as Bob laughs) from the corporate life and get well engaged into this lane for the last 1/3rd. Can’t replicate what Bob is done, but the passion and wisdom and focus he so well executes is super motivating.