Leaving a Lucrative Career for Delivery

Questions swirled. Whispers could almost be felt. Why would he leave six figures to such a low profile role? Why would he squander all of that education? Does he not care about his family? Not...Doordash... What about their future...

In January, I was laid off from my lucrative engineering job. Surprisingly, I was not sad. It was a relief. Even more surprisingly, several weeks later I turned down an offer for my job back. Am I crazy? I think I am too young for a midlife crisis. I believe most people would say that I have lost my mind, but let me explain.

Several years back, I quit another job to go on a six month trip to Colombia, South America for missions work. Sadly, things did not go as planned, and my dream of a life of missions work was cut short. I went back to engineering reluctantly. It isn't that I don't like my work. I have worked with great people and completed some really cool projects. Well, I think they are cool. My wife's thoughts...boring.

I have struggled over the years with my desire to reach the world for Christ amidst the decline of organized Christianity. The organized church and organizations are quickly abandoning the convictions of their founders. They are losing the drive and urgency upon which they were founded, and unfortunately they are seen to be more and more ineffective. I have prayed and pled with the Lord, and I have devoted my spare time to do what I can to reach the world for Christ in these final hours before the return of Jesus.

Leading up to 2020, I found myself working typically 60 to 70 hours a week, plus up to 15 hours of commuting a week. My plan was to try and get ahead, pay off bills, and pave the way for more time to serve Christ in the future. With the move to work from home, I quickly realized the deadly gamble I was taking. I was trading time with my family and current service for Christ, for the possibility of more later. I was on the same path as the pagan materialists among whom I was working. They work and save, so they can retire early and buy their kids whatever they want. We try to rationalize these subtle lies, but I realized that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. My conviction grew stronger and stronger. I knew my lifestyle must change. Every day, I need to wake up and ask, "What does God want me to do today?"

In the last year I have witnessed the frightening acceleration of the decline of the church and the world bringing about the convergence of end time prophesies. I strongly believe that we may not have much time left. I cannot look anywhere without seeing this reality. We must act. It is urgent. So, when my engineering firm said there was no more work for awhile, I had an exciting peace.

All my life I have seen a model of the lay Christian. Pick a career, work hard, serve occasionally at church, and give to Christian ministries. But, in all reality, the Christian life that I have seen modeled closely resembles the rest of the world. From my perspective, Christians are encouraged to live the best and most financially beneficial lifestyle as they are able, and give Jesus the leftovers. In my case, my extra time was nights and weekends.

Is this really Biblical? While some Christians may serve full-time (ie. pastors, church planters, missionaries) and others have secular jobs, are we not all called to serve the Master? This is the deep conviction in which I have come to believe in my own heart. Am I working to enable my ministry or working to enable my desired lifestyle? We are all called and gifted to serve the Master. We all have gifts that go way beyond handing out bulletins and stacking chairs in the fellowship hall. Our gifts are urgently needed!

I do not believe I have been called or gifted to plant a church or go to seminary. I have often despaired that I do not have certain gifts or talents. I have realized that God made me special and gave me a specific mix of gifts and talents to do specific tasks, jobs that others may not be able to do. It is wrong to complain about what I have not received. All believers are specialists in God's army, and all are needed. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are truly few.

Given my job situation in January, I decided it was time to start doing what I felt called to do. I would work as needed to fund my calling, not the other way around. I turned down an offer to return to my former employer and have not sought full-time permanent employment. I'll admit, with much trepidation, we decided to go all in.

I believe God has called me to two main ministries in these last days: sharing the Gospel with as many as I am able before the Lord's return and spurring other believers on to love and good works. I go door to door sharing God's love in Lucas county with a program called Saturate. We are also passionate about teaching children the Bible through a home AWANA Bible club. I also seek to engage other believers in unique ministry opportunities. The country of Colombia is never far from my mind. I try to write, support and visit pastors and believers there as often as I can. Among the previously mentioned ministries, the Lord has opened other doors in which Monica and I currently serve: writing for Pathway Christian Newspaper, updating and writing for our Vernot Family Ministries website and blog, children's choir & church music ministry, in-home Bible studies, State Representative for Christian Resources International, Gideon's International, speaking for church services and conferences, host parents for international college students, and operating a prayer hotline.

The new path is not without its difficulties or concerns. Many have expressed their concern with raised eyebrows. I have done some eyebrow raising myself when reviewing weekly financials. The extreme change to our lifestyle has been difficult for us all. However, when you look at the Bible, following Christ came with a sacrifice. Conversely, we have never seen God's hand and direction more than we have in the last six months. I believe more prayers have been answered in the last six months than in recent years combined. God has promised to provide all that is required to complete the work that he has called us to do. That is where my hope rests. Whether that is other flexible job opportunities, unexpected income, or some form of support from others, I am not sure. But, I am willing to go all in for the One who went all in for me.

Yes, I did knowingly give up a lucrative career for delivery work. While I do now deliver food to help us get by, that is not the delivery in which I am referring. I am referring to delivering the hope of salvation to everyone within my reach before the imminent return of our Savior. Could I fail? Possibly. Could I be forced to return to full-time work? Potentially. But, I strongly believe the souls that I have the chance to reach are worth that risk. Even more than that, Jesus is worth that risk.

What is Jesus asking you to do? What gifts have you been given that may be lying dormant? Are you using your lack of a "calling" to justify a life of self-pleasure? Are there steps you need to consider to get your career supporting your calling? If you want to get involved, please contact us through the email listed below. We are always looking for people to partner with us as we serve in our various ministries. If you want to help support our work financially, you can donate through PayPal using the same email address: vernotfamilyministries@gmail.com.

May we all daily fulfill God's high calling for each of our lives. He's coming soon. May He find us as work!

"We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day;

night is coming, when no one can work."

John 9:4