Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
A few months ago when I started looking at the summer, I started doing some real soul-searching. Granted, I’m always trying to look ahead and always trying to search where God is directing me to go, especially as it relates to this ministry. And there have been several “seasons” of what AS BOLD AS LIONS has looked like…various teaching subjects, themes/series, transitions from just a blog to a blog and a podcast. A 3x/week devotion. Since 2017, I’ve done my best to seek out the Lord’s heart and keep this true to what He wants.
Last summer, I took a break for the first time in the history of doing this. An extended break. What I would term a “sabbatical,” although that’s typically only what pastors do! But it felt like that and it felt needed after a weekly and monthly rhythm of sharing messages. Today, with this blog and accompanying podcast, I’m sensing a need to take a break again. But this feels different, perhaps longer. Definitely undefined in terms of length or when (if at all), I’ll resume.
Why the change? Much of it is stage-of-life-related. The home life is busy. It is a season in which some of my kids are either in college or getting ready for college…and some are just in the beginning stages of elementary school (and everything in between). We seem to be going in many different directions each week and I’m trying to steward these days well. Church life is busy. I now have 2 main roles at my church (worship and student ministry) and my wife has a main role as well (kids ministry). I run an in-home guitar lessons business. And much of what has been lost in the shuffle has been a desire to record music and start releasing the ideas God has been laying on my heart over the years. This passion is hard to shake.
I often think the fear of pushing into that arena (music and self-production) has led me to keep things safe and stay within certain boundaries I’ve created over the years. After all, AS BOLD AS LIONS is something I love and I find typing up and sharing these messages to be a natural overflow of being in God’s word. I enjoy it…very much. But I also have done it many times to the neglect of working on music and getting busy with what initially called me and my family here to Tennessee. We’re almost at the 10 year mark since we moved from South Dakota (where I really started in ministry). I feel like God is saying “It’s time.” Perhaps it’s well past due.
So what will you be seeing or hearing from me? I won’t rule out an occasional podcast or blog at some point again. But I don’t see it happening for many months. Probably nothing for the rest of 2026. I do intend to keep the devotionals going and if you’ve signed up for the mailing list, you’ll see those (3x/week like we’ve been doing). You’ll keep seeing devotions posted on my Facebook page if you follow me there. And I’ll keep sharing online (primarily Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube) from time to time. Updates and things that are going on.
I believe this is a season of transition. I don’t know exactly what it looks like or how it is all going to work together. But I very strongly sense the Lord calling me back into what has been a first love for so much of my life: music and worship. I would deeply desire your prayers over this. As an almost 50-year old, I’ve tried to live my life for the glory and honor of the Lord. I’ve certainly not been perfect. I’ve made missteps. But I pray the legacy I leave behind points to Him. If you see me, I hope and pray you see Jesus. Beyond that, anything else is icing on the cake.
There isn’t a lot of teaching within the blog this time but I do want to share this verse and charge as I close:
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
If we profess faith in Christ, there is a work being done within each one of us. A good work. A work that is moving toward completion at one point in time. One day there won’t be anymore blogs or podcasts or sermons or songs. It will all be in the past. But there will be an eternal song and an eternal declaration of “Holy, holy, holy” as we gather around the throne of Christ. I want to continue my life in the good work, knowing that the days ahead of me are becoming fewer than the days I have behind me. That’s a wake-up call. That’s a moment of true clarity in which I ask the Lord, “What am I living for? If there’s anything that is not of You, remove it.” We all have to spend that time in the prayer closet, considering what and where and when and how God would use us. And for whom. My charge to you is to figure that out. Figure out what you were put on this earth to do for the Lord and then go and do it. Don’t hesitate. Don’t waste any time. Remember our theme verse: the days are evil. Redeem the time by living on purpose.
I love you guys and I love walking this journey with you. I loved it ever since I put out the first blog way back in January 2017. I’ll keep you posted with what’s next and the blogs and podcasts will continue to stay up and be accessible. I hope they will continue to bless and encourage you.
One final note: my AS BOLD AS LIONS mailing list is separate from a music mailing list I have which is a Derek Charles Johnson email group. If you would like to be added to that mailing list to keep up with that side of things, you can visit the contact page of my website and reach out. You can say something like “add me” just so I know to add your email address to that group.
This is most certainly not goodbye. It is a call to trust and step into what is next. I encourage you to keep running after the Father. Nothing else in this life will satisfy.
Let’s connect:
Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekcharlesjohnson1/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/derekcharlesjohnson
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17