Chapter 5

On the Road to Find Out

Josh hated driving next to large trucks on the highways, but unfortunately there were many on the road. Driving in the middle of the night reminded him of the many road trips he had taken with his band during the summers of high school and college. It wasn’t a great band, but it was good, and Josh was the lead singer and guitarist. He had developed his craft as a young worship leader in his dad’s church. His family had hoped he would join his family in ministry, but Josh had felt pulled in a different direction, first to the music world and then to the business world.

Josh had friends who had become coaches because their dad had been a coach or who had gone into business because their dad was in business, but Josh had the desire to do something different—something he could call his own. He didn’t think it was wrong for people to follow their parents and siblings into the family business, especially if it was something they loved to do, but he knew there was something else for him. It wasn’t that he didn’t love the ministry, either. Being a worship leader had been one of the most special times in his life. He loved ministry and was very good at it. He could not only sing and play music, but he was also a great communicator. He loved making a difference and inspiring people. He loved helping his father develop creative ideas for sermons. He loved the immediate feedback he received about his talks and songs. That’s why everyone was shocked when he made the decision to pursue a life outside of the church.

As Josh thought about his past and drove with the radio blaring and the windows down, he wondered if he had made the wrong decision. He thought of the story the pilot had told him about doing what you loved to do when you were 10. He thought about his strengths and gifts, and they pointed toward ministry. Yet when he had graduated from college and his father had asked him to be his church’s full-time worship leader, Josh answered that in his heart he knew it wasn’t the life for him. It felt too comfortable—too safe. He wanted to work in business and engage the marketplace with his gifts and passion. His father supported his decision, and after a brief stint as a musician, Josh ultimately chose a career in business. Taking a job that initially excited and challenged him, he joined a company where he felt he could make his mark. But after a few years, the newness wore off. His passion for creating new sales and marketing campaigns gave way to the pressure of meeting deadlines and the stress of hitting the targeted numbers and goals. His desire to engage the marketplace was now replaced by doubts about whether he was making a difference in the world other than making more money for his company.

“I know I’m here for a reason, aren’t I, girl?” Josh said to Dharma, who was not only listening to the words he said but also to the thoughts that ran through his mind. Josh had told Dharma he was convinced she knew what he was saying and thinking, and he was right! She understood his thoughts, words, and feelings. She knew when he was coming home from work and when they would be going for a walk or a ride in the car. It wasn’t because she had learned Josh’s habits. He was a spontaneous person and had a varied schedule. She knew these things because she knew the future before it happened. Humans call it a sixth sense. For her it was simply Dog Sense. She was much smarter and knew a lot more than people realized, but it was a good thing to be underestimated. She licked Josh’s arm to let him know he was loved. She knew comfort was what he needed most right now.

“We’ll figure it out,” Josh said as he rubbed her head and sped past three large trucks. They had been on the road for a while, and as the moon gave way to the sun, and darkness surrendered to light, Josh was filled with a lot of questions. As he neared his destination, he just hoped his father would help him with some answers.