Four States, One Incredible Blessing

I’m writing this from Arkansas, and by the time you read this, I’ll probably be somewhere between here and Montana. It’s one of those weeks where I’m looking at the calendar and thinking, “How exactly did all of this end up happening in the same week?” Last night I had the opportunity to serve a Pregnancy Resource Center here in Arkansas. Today I’m flying to Montana, where I’ll be speaking on Thursday. Then on Friday, I have the very unexpected opportunity to film a Dry Bar Comedy special in Ogden, Utah. And then Saturday I’ll be in Kansas. Four states in one week!

I have to admit, banquet season can be stressful. There are a lot of moving pieces when you are traveling all over the country. Flights, rental cars, hotels, sound checks, speaking, comedy, fundraising goals and all of the little things that can go wrong along the way. There are definitely moments when I’m sitting in an airport, tired and surrounded by strangers, wondering why I do this to myself!

But then I stop and think about what I actually get to do, and I realize what an incredible blessing this is for our family.

God has given me the opportunity to travel all over the country and see His work happening in so many different places. Last night it was a Pregnancy Resource Center in Arkansas. Thursday it will be another ministry in Montana. Saturday it will be a ministry in Kansas. Throughout the year I get to work with Pregnancy Resource Centers, Christian schools, homeless ministries, Youth For Christ, churches, adoption ministries and so many other organizations that are doing incredible work for the Kingdom.

And somehow, God has allowed me to be a small part of it.

I’m especially excited about Friday. I had a very unexpected and awesome opportunity come up to film a Dry Bar Comedy special in Ogden, Utah. That was not something I had planned on doing, and honestly, it wasn’t something I ever really expected to happen. But the opportunity came along, and I’m excited to see what God does with it.

The funny thing is, I’ve never really had a dream of becoming a famous comedian. I love comedy. I love being on stage. I love making people laugh, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to film a special. But becoming famous has never been the goal.

For me, the really cool part is seeing how God has taken the gift of comedy He gave me and used it in ways I never could have planned myself. Comedy has opened doors that allow me to travel around the country and serve ministries that are doing incredibly important work. I get to make people laugh, tell some stories, and then hopefully help raise money so those organizations can continue doing what God has called them to do.

That is what makes this so much more meaningful to me than simply being a comedian.

I don’t need to become a household name. I don’t need millions of followers. I don’t need to be famous. I just want to be faithful with whatever God has put in my hands. If He wants to use a goofy guy who likes to make people laugh to help Pregnancy Resource Centers raise money, or Christian schools, or homeless ministries, or Youth For Christ, or adoption ministries, then I’m pretty excited about that calling.

There are a lot of miles involved in what I do. There are early mornings, late nights, airport delays, rental cars, hotel rooms and plenty of time away from home. That part isn’t always easy, especially during the busiest parts of banquet season. But there is something pretty special about getting on an airplane and knowing that when I land, I’m going to meet people who are serving others and trying to make a difference.

I get to hear their stories. I get to see their passion. I get to see generous people come together and give so that children can be protected, families can be helped, students can be reached and people can hear about Jesus. I get to see the Kingdom work happening in communities all over the country.

And then I get to come home and tell my family about it.

So yes, this is going to be a busy week. Arkansas, Montana, Utah and Kansas in just a few days is a lot of miles and a lot of airports. But I’m incredibly thankful for every mile.

What a blessing it is to be able to use the gift God has given me to serve Him in places I never imagined I would go. I have no idea where this crazy comedy and fundraising journey will take me next, but I’m thankful to be along for the ride.

Four states in one week is exhausting, but getting to see God at work all over the country makes it pretty awesome.