Feeling stuck?

Roundabouts. You know those traffic intersections that people either love or hate? Some say they make traffic flow more smoothly, but others (and dare I say the majority of Americans) stress out when they come across a roundabout. What do I do? Who goes now? Is that person going to hit me?

Roundabouts are a wonderful way to keep traffic flowing at an intersection. You slow down, watch for an opening, and slide on into the flow. Once you get around to your intended destination you flow right on back out and onto the road.

But what happens if you get stuck in the roundabout? What if you can’t figure out how to get out of the circle, or there are things impeding your ability to turn out of it?

Every year we get new apprentices here at The Company. EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.

Just when we’re all in a good place, BAM some of them have the audacity to graduate. I really do love meeting new people. I think getting to know others is one of my strengths, but I also love to just hang out with people I’m comfortable with. It’s just easier, ya know?

We had a good thing going last year. I loved hanging out with the apprentices we had in the schoolhouse and I got to know them pretty well. I know a lot of their likes and dislikes, I know their quirks and funny sayings and they know mine too I’m sure. It’s good to know and be known.

So this year when graduation passed and we had a couple of weeks to get everything ready for the new students, I also had to prepare my heart. I allowed myself to mourn what will never be again, and also began to get excited for what is to come.

If no one left and no one new came, I suppose life would be pretty comfortable.

However, what we would gain in comfort we would lose in the Kingdom. If I was unwilling to be uncomfortable again, I would miss out on the opportunity to host new people in Cambridge, Ohio year after year. And ultimately, I wonder if God would ask me someday, “Why did you waste all the opportunities I gave you to love on those young adults?”

As much as I wanted to get stuck on the roundabout of last year, at the end of August I knew it was time to exit and keep moving forward. And you know what? It’s been an amazing year so far. We’ve had fun and laughed a lot.

Unfortunately I see lot of believers stuck in roundabouts these days. They are okay with staying in the same place, with the same people, doing the same thing.

Just like me, they want to be comfortable. Once you’ve gone around the circle once you may think, “Hey, I get this now. I understand it!” and then instead of moving forward into unknown territory, you just want to stay in the known circle.

It’s hard to do new things. Every year we open ourselves up to relationships with these fresh apprentices. They don’t know us, and we don’t know them. It’s a vulnerable place. We might get hurt. Sometimes they leave.

But despite the risks, we still say yes.

The enemy would like to keep you in the same place. He will use friends, family, and circumstances to try and scare you into complacency instead of advancement. The enemy will convince you to stay comfortable instead of being obedient. He wins if you stay in the roundabout.

If you stay complacent the Kingdom doesn’t advance. I know that’s a big statement, but I believe it’s true.

If you’re called to something, then you have to actually do it. It’s scary. It’s big. But it’s what you are supposed to do. It’s OK. You’ll mess up and make mistakes but you’ll also be equipped and learn along the way.

Do you trust that God has good things for you if you get out of that roundabout and move forward?

Would you rather stay in the familiar, or move forward in your calling?

Is Jesus calling you to be a writer?

Apply to our full time apprenticeship at The Company, the only in-person Christian writing apprenticeship in the world! We will challenge you to become not only a better writer, but most importantly a better disciple of Jesus. Application are now open for Fall 2026. Learn more here: https://writers.company/training/full-time-apprenticeship/

Want to check us out first? That’s a wise move. We are hosting a spring retreat on April 24th and 25th! Find all the details here: https://writers.company/who-should-come-to-the-spring-retreat/