Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE!

30. Retired at 47: Following God's Call

• Vona Johnson • Season 2 • Episode 30

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What happens when you retire at 47—and you're not even sure what's next?

In this episode, Dan Simon shares how stepping away early wasn’t about escaping work, but about faithfully following God’s redirection. Discover the faith it takes to retire early—and the purpose that unfolds when you trust God with your next season.

Dan walks us through his journey from climbing the ranks in education to launching a charter school, and eventually stepping into Christian education and consulting.

Through challenges and unexpected turns, Dan discovered that God's plan was far greater than he could have imagined—he simply had to trust and hang on for the ride.

We never really know what will happen when we take a leap of faith… but that's half the fun!

Tune in to hear how Dan navigated his courageous journey, and don't miss his top advice for those contemplating retirement.

Connect with Dan at:
www.DanSimonSolutions.com
Dan@DanSimonSolutions.com
Ph: (919) 760-1400

Quotes:
"We're gonna end up where God is calling us and wherever it is that he's preparing us for. The question is how do you want to get there?" Dan Simon

"Grace with accountability. Like, yes, I'm still gonna love you through this. Yes, but you did something you aren't supposed to do. And there's a consequence for that. So, who am I not to forgive you?" Dan Simon

Scripture:
Read the story of Joseph's life in Genesis starting at Chapter 37.Read the story of Jonah and Nineveh in the Book of Jonah. 

00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Retirement
00:46 Meet Dan Simon: A Journey of Faith and Courage
02:00 From Principal to Superintendent: Career Highlights
03:19 The Unexpected Call: Opening a Charter School
05:31 A New Path: Joining a Christian School
09:49 Lessons from Joseph: Embracing God's Plan
14:14 Personal Reflections: Trusting God's Timing
18:10 Filtering Life's Distractions
19:19 The Importance of Prayer and Scripture
19:51 Hearing God's Voice
20:51 Loving Our Neighbors
25:03 Grace with Accountability
25:59 Taking the Leap of Faith
31:44 Finding Your Nineveh
33:38 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement



I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Thank you for stopping by today! Remember to Engage Your Faith and Live Your More as you reap the benefits of Courageous Retirement!

To watch the video, check out my YouTube Channel!

Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com!

Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona.

Join ClubMore @ clubmore.live

Many of us have been led to believe that to get the most out of retirement, we stay that safe place, that comfy job, until we hit that perfect age of somewhere between 62 and 70. But sometimes God has a different plan. And today's guest took his retirement way before the traditional early retirement. And his journey wasn't exactly the way he planned it, but God had a better plan. It was so much better than anything he could have imagined. I hope you'll join us for this exciting conversation on how we can answer God's call to more in some of the most unusual ways. Stick around till the very end when my guest, Dan Simon shares his best tip for those who are thinking about retirement.

Vona Johnson:

Welcome. I am so glad to have you here with us today. I've been really excited to hear your story. you know, courageous retirement and when somebody retires at the age of 47, that had to have taken some courage. And, so from what I understand from our earlier conversation, after 25 years in education, you decided that the Lord was calling you away, and I would love to know what was it that helped you know, that it was time to, to take that, that step, to make the leap and, and answer his call.

Dan Simon:

Mm, well that's a loaded question. The reality is that the first post-retirement gig I think the Lord intended it to be the way to break me out of my comfort zone. Hmm. To get me to where he wanted me to be. Because I would have probably stayed where I was forever. I mean, it was kind of in that coasting mode, right? I knew what I was doing. it was great. I was working in the same school system at that point that my kids were in. And it was like everything was rowing in the same direction. The story is you know, keep it as, as simple as possible. But I had started my career in education as a teacher, moved very quickly through the ranks of supervision and administration. Earned two master's degrees at one point to get my certification as a school leader as well. And I got my first principal job at 31. And I was in a district. That was a very high performing district. My high school at one point during my 10 years at the head was ranked the number one high school in the United States. Wow. we were a powerhouse in terms of academics and, I had always kind of felt that the greatest way to influence kids. Was to continue to move up the ranks, right? Was to continue to have a new title with more power and in a sense, right. And more influence. So what I found was that at the point of 10 years as a high school principal, I felt, well, next would be superintendent. And so I got a job as a superintendent, and I hated it. I mean, I just completely, it was all about politics and becoming like a figurehead. And I realized that. Best way to influence kids is to be with them every day. So I was like, this isn't for me. I went back to being a principal and that's where I found myself, like year 21. I was there working in the district my kids were in. And then a couple years into that last principalship I had somebody reach out to me about opening a charter school in New Jersey in an area that was. Receiving a lot of financial aid and was one of the lowest performing schools in the nation, let alone in the state. And the reason that I was, initially drawn to it was because the recommendation came from a parent of that school where I was principal for 10 years. This was a relative of his, that was seeking the opportunity. And I guess when he was like, Hey, do you know somebody? He's like, oh, I know somebody like, you wanna start this and do this. I got the guy, he's the right guy for you. And so the pursuit came through and, and there was a, you know, again, I was in a good place. I didn't wanna, I didn't wanna go anywhere. I didn't wanna do anything. And so I, I was spending a lot of time with my pastor and I was talking a lot about it, asking this question, how do I know? Yeah. I mean, if I retire early, right? I, take a penalty on my pension, you know, by age.'cause I was eight years shy of age at that point. I was like, but how do I know Lord if this is from you or not? I mean, you know, and then there was the appeal of the money, right. And, you know, collect retirement, make full salary like six kids, you know, like, you know, some, some of'em in college, some of them about to go to college. And ultimately, I felt at peace about the decision. And so I went forward with the retirement and fast forward within that year I got the school open. but there was just something about it that didn't feel right to me. It just, it, it wasn't, well, first of all, I, I would say that opening a charter school in New Jersey when you talk about like. Political positions like that was nearly the death of me. I mean, it was really a very, very stressful, very difficult place to be, but got the school open and it was running successfully, but there was just something about it. Like the Lord was giving me almost kind of a sick kind of spirit saying, okay, I got you out of your comfort zone because I've got something else for you. And now maybe, you know you're ready for it, right? Yeah. And so the quick transition from there when I stepped away from the charter school was I was invited to join a Christian school in the area as an administrator to support the existing administration. It was a church that I was affiliated with. They knew my background. They had actually been recruiting me for a number of years to take on a leadership position. I just couldn't support a family of six children on a Christian school salary at that point. But now look at what the Lord did. He set me up with a pension. Yeah, right. Yeah. So that reduced salary coming together was now manageable. My wife my incredible wife just took the budget. And just made everything work. We were actually better off financially making less within a year of that timeframe. And that kickstarted so many other things. my foray into Christian education and Christian school consulting. It also opened the door to my college and career advising. Yeah. Which I've now been doing for the last eight years as well, and speaking across the nation and focusing my. Time and energy and expertise on Christian schools and military children because I have now a very personal stake in that as well. So I look back and I say, you know, Why did the Lord bring me through that season where I thought like, Lord, I thought this is what you wanted me to do. I prayed, I spoke to my pastor. I had a peace about it. And now in retrospect, looking back, Vona right, we all do this, right? Yeah,

Vona Johnson:

we do.

Dan Simon:

In the season it was so challenging and so difficult. But looking back now, I know exactly why I had to go through that season. Yeah. Because of what he was preparing for me. Here I am, you know, 10, 12 years later, thriving in a market that I would never have even seen myself in at the time. So, that's that. You talk about that courageous leap. I mean, I always had faith that the Lord knew what he was doing, but definitely question at times.

Vona Johnson:

You hit on so many things. One of them was, and it's interesting because I believe my path is similar. I mean, God showed me a path that looked so amazing and it was the only way I would've left all of the comfort and all of the things that I had in my previous career. I have learned so many lessons. I mean, you know, even just that. Fear of not having enough money, enough of everything. And him just stripping all of that away and saying, have I not provided everything you need?

Dan Simon:

Our needs, not our wants necessarily, right.

Vona Johnson:

But our needs. Right. But I truly haven't even given up many of the wants that I want in life. I feel like sometimes the world. Makes a, you know, you think about financial advisors and I have nothing against financial advisors other than when they sit down with you and across the table, they're, they're telling you about all, you know, you gotta have this and this and, and if you wanna do, and, and it's like you have to have millions of dollars to do all that. And now on the other side of retirement, I'm like, I kind of love my life. I don't need to travel three months a year to, to enjoy my life. Right on God has provided so many things right on. But one of the things that jumped out at me when you were talking is. And I've experienced this, there have been times when, you know, we, we get this sense that, oh, I, I took the wrong step. I didn't, you know, it didn't last. So it could, it must have been wrong. And I heard you say definitely not. Mm-hmm. So to me, he gives us, even, even when we do something that doesn't feel like it was exactly the right step, he gives us lessons in there. Right.

Dan Simon:

Right. I try to teach that as well to, again, from my own life experience, translating that to adolescents in, the private work that I do, and even small groups that I meet with. You know, you've gotta, I say the only guaranteed no. Is the question you don't ask, right? The only way it's guaranteed not to happen is if you don't even try. And so I talk a lot about experience and risks and learning the lesson through whatever that season is. Yeah. We talk about, I use it as a biblical example. I'm always talking about Joseph, right? I mean, there's no greater example, right? Of, you know, 40 years of. I mean, I think it's 40 years even. I'd have to go back and do the math on it, but from the time of being a child, right? Yeah. To these seasons of, okay, I think you're taking me through, and then Nope, nope. Now, now I'm, thrown in a pit and then I think you're taking me through and then nope. Now I'm thrown in prison and now no, but all of that, right? you don't think through all that time that Joseph was saying, Lord, why am I still here? Right. Why haven't you, I've been faithful. I have never cursed you. I've never given up on asking, and yet I'm still here. But in God's timing he was equipping him to be number two in the land to save the entire nation and his family in the process. Right. And, you know, you shortcut any of that, you take any different route to any of that. it doesn't happen. The way that God intended it to happen. So we don't have to love that season that we're in, right? But it's a season and knowing already that from my past experiences, God has always brought me out of it and showed me why I was in it. It allows me now while I'm in it to recognize, Lord, you're preparing me for something, and if this hasn't happened yet, there's a reason for that.

Vona Johnson:

I love that you brought up Joseph, because when we talked the other day, you mentioned that you've been toying around your tagline. Are you willing to share that here?

Dan Simon:

Yeah. So I don't wanna,

Vona Johnson:

I don't wanna force you to say something that you're not ready

Dan Simon:

to expose. Well, maybe we'll get some feedback and people can tell me whether they like it or not.

Vona Johnson:

Well, yeah, but there's a beautiful correlation I wanna share with you only if you're willing to go there.

Dan Simon:

No. Sure. So right now, as I had mentioned to you, my LLC is my name, you know, Dan Simon Solutions, and I was always told like, you have name recognition, then you know you're gonna wanna stay with that. But I've always been uncomfortable with that. Like my, I don't want my company to be my name. And so I was exploring some resources trying to come up with, and nothing was really sticking. And then, I came across this line that really stuck with me and it was made for more. And made for more to me was like, that's the work that I'm doing. whether it's in Christian education and trying to help counsel students or whether it's for children and military families who either have an active service parent, have lost a parent to service a parent that's wounded in service you know, they tend to find their identity through that circumstance. And the reality is that circumstance may have been. Allowed to happen for whatever it is that they are going to be prepared to do. In their own life. And so this made for more idea for me, is just, it's just stuck. And so unless somebody goes and grabs that name before I can make it official. It's probably gonna be my rebranding at some point.

Vona Johnson:

Well, I encourage you to go get the website today. It's cheap. But what I love about it, of course, is that it aligns with my tagline, which is live your more.

Dan Simon:

Mm.

Vona Johnson:

and the tagline for courageous Retirement is answer God's call to more.

Dan Simon:

Yes.

Vona Johnson:

The reason I brought it up is, and I hope I don't have this wrong, but I recently did a Bible study about Joseph that was called Meant for More.

Dan Simon:

Mm-hmm.

Vona Johnson:

And as you were talking about all of the things that he went through, God meant every bit of that. For good and for Joseph.

Dan Simon:

even just for Joseph, right? Right. It was all the lives that Joseph was going to impact. And I think that's what we tend to miss sometimes, right? Yes. it's not just about what I want and getting what I want, but God is preparing to use us to impact other people for the kingdom and we can't see that. We can't possibly see that

Vona Johnson:

and probably won't ever in our lifetime. But what came up for me as you were saying that is think for a minute of how different our world today would be had Joseph not been in the place he was and saved his family. And I mean, you know, there was just a huge part of history and, and a huge part of the Bible and yeah, it's kind of mind blowing when you think about how he can use one person to impact.

Dan Simon:

Right. and I think the other piece of it that impacts me about Joseph's story is that both of the major, you know, if you wanna say life events, that set him back was not something he chose. Right. I mean, being thrown in the pit and then being thrown in prison. He was, he was doing the right things. Right. I mean, he might have bragged a little too much to his brothers about his coat. Right. But besides that, like. He was doing the right things. He was walking with the Lord. Yeah. Right. Yeah. I mean, the whole reason he was thrown in prison was because he avoided sin and yet God allowed him to be imprisoned. I mean, what a, powerful image, right? For this idea of how can God allow bad things to happen, negative things to happen to good people, to Christian people, like how can he allow it? Because God is sovereign. God knows, and we don't.

Vona Johnson:

Well, and I love that because I think there's a misperception out there in the world that if I just become a Christian and follow the path, my life is gonna be, you know, just all roses and. Said, no Christian ever. Yeah, and it just doesn't work that way. And I mean, even in the world today with all of the things that are happening around us that could be extremely scary. we know. That God can use even this season for good. Amen. We just need to trust him and yeah. You know, it was funny'cause I was gonna jump in along with you and even though my path hasn't always been exactly in alignment with where God would've wanted it to go. And we aren't gonna go into the details about that. It's all in the book. It's not like it's a secret. I just don't wanna waste the time today. But he used that to turn my life completely around. Having an unplanned pregnancy. When I was in college, Turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. and so many people make choices because they feel like this is bad. It's gonna ruin my life, and We just have to trust him.

Dan Simon:

right.

Vona Johnson:

That's right. Mm-hmm. So, yeah. Thanks. I love all of that. And I think, what I love about your story is that, you know, it's like you retired. He took a path. It wasn't wrong, but it wasn't necessarily the path.

Dan Simon:

Right.

Vona Johnson:

But it was okay because God will redirect us if we get on a path that's not exactly where he wants us to be. We don't have to be afraid that it, it's there,

Dan Simon:

forever's. Right.

Vona Johnson:

He will, you know, so when I retired eight years ago shortly after that, I was. Approach to fill a position on our city council. the councilman had just been elected mayor, and so he called and asked if I would fill his place, which was a huge honor. and I said yes. And literally today as we record, this is the last day. Of my seat on city council, and it's been a joy to serve and I know that it's been an important part of my progression, but I also know that God has just put a longing in me that it's time to move on. there's more to what he wants me to do. So retirement doesn't have to be forever. It doesn't have to be sit back and just do nothing and eat bon bons all today. It just means opening ourselves up to the next step, whatever he might be needing us to.

Dan Simon:

Well that's, that's, that's so well said. Yeah. In fact, I think we can also get caught up in. Filling our plates with too much, right.'cause we, you know, we're, you know, you and I are the type of people who are doers, right? We always have to have something to do. And, you know, you talked about your city council position. I had just relocated from New Jersey to North Carolina and I was like, you know, I wanna serve my town. And, you know, I got elected to a committee. And I recently stepped down from that because I found through a sermon that that was, and it was constant. It wasn't just the sermon, it was other messages I was listening to. Were saying the same thing, like, right, you gotta begin to, to really filter. What we're spending our time on. Amen. Does it, does it help us accomplish what we believe God is calling us to do? And if it doesn't, then it just takes away, it just distracts. And as a result, it actually hinders our ability, right. To do what God's calling us to do. So I stepped away from that. I'm trying. To say no to things that don't really matter. My wife is a tremendous partner in that you know, I have to say I have, I have learned more probably in recent years than ever before, to trust her perspective as well. Just to say like, Hey, you know, here's this, what do you think about this?

Vona Johnson:

Because

Dan Simon:

like, you know, the voice of of God doesn't always just come directly, you know, into us through our ears and our eyes. It comes, sometimes, through the people he's given us, right? The love on us and surrounds us with. So right. Yeah, we could, it could be the opposite too. Sit on the couch, you know, and watch Netflix all day or get out and just stay so busy. Right. That we still have never really found what it is that God's calling us to do.

Vona Johnson:

In my book, equipped For More, I give the 10 habits that help us boldly, fulfill our calling for him. And I think top three are so important. We need to be in the word. Yeah, we need to be in prayer. And we have to stop and listen. Mm. And so many of us miss that third one, or they pick two of the three. it just seems like, you know, there's all kinds of people out there. I pray all the time. I pray, oh, he's talking to me, I'm listening. But they haven't opened their Bible to see if it really aligns with what he wants. And it's just critical that we do that.

Dan Simon:

and that's something you always said reminds me. I do hear people often say. I was in prayer and the Lord spoke to me. The Lord said to me, and there's a while there, I thought like, what am I doing wrong? I don't feel like I've ever really had that audible voice of God, you know? And I say, now, is that because I'm not sitting still long enough to listen? Or is he just speaking to me in other ways? And, you know, it's that, same thing with the gifts of the spirit, right? we don't all have the same gift. But if we seek him and we, humbly come before him and say, Lord, just. Send me the right people, I think to me, that's one of the most significant things is the people, you know, just you and me meeting, you know the way that we did through an organization that I chose to get involved in and that you were there to speak and we met, We could never have planned or orchestrated that, right. The Lord's hand was in that. And so the people we meet are, I think one of the most significant ways in which he speaks to us and points us in the direction he wants us to go.

Vona Johnson:

I agree with that. And I also I'm a huge follower of Del Tackett. He did the Truth Project and then the Engagement Project. And in the Engagement Project, he talks about loving our neighbors. That God was very physical about where he put us and who our neighbors are. And sometimes we get this perception that you know, it's like what the guy in the Bible, well, who is my neighbor? And We have this tendency to think that we have to go across the country, the world or whatever. And sometimes that person is right in our backyard and they need to know Jesus more than anybody. And you might be the person there to talk to them about him. But first you have to develop that relationship. You can't just lead with. Right. You know, I mean, maybe sometimes that works, but I mean, I,

Dan Simon:

a phrase Vona that I, and I think it's been attributed to Augustine I really should research it since I use it so much, but the idea that, you know, preach the gospel and when necessary use words, my prayer more than anything else. Yeah. Is to let my actions and let the way that I treat people, speak to people, react to people, respond to people, point them to him, but at least to open the door to a conversation to say, you know, no one's ever spent that kind of time with me or spoken to me that way, or come alongside me in that way. What's your inspiration or your motivation for that? And then the door is open. And by the way, that happened, I mean, first 25 years of my education career was in public education. I've had more than one conversation that bore out because of that. You know, again, we don't shed our rights, our religious rights at the, at the schoolhouse door. If as long as we are not the ones that are provoking or promoting, I have a right to answer that question if it's asked.

Vona Johnson:

Absolutely.

Dan Simon:

it was asked many times and it opened up the opportunity for me to have those conversations. So that to me, more than anything, because we, know people are always watching us as Christians. We've been wanting to see us slip up, wanting to see us fall, wanting to say, aha. See, you're just like everybody else. And that's where I really find myself wanting, you know, to just always have the full armor of God on, you know, just in watching. Yeah. Because it's, you never know who's watching and you never know who's listening, and you never know who's gonna be turned off because of something that they heard me say here, but then watch me do over here. Right. So. Mm-hmm. That's significant, I think.

Vona Johnson:

Absolutely. And you know before we started this recording, we prayed Yes. And what you just said reminded me of that prayer. And that is pray for wisdom, pray for discernment, and I added pray for courage. Yeah. And if we do that before we walk into any room, any workspace, anything like that, that discernment will help us to know if and when it's time to share, bite our tongue, whatever, because in today's world, sometimes biting our tongue is way more important than any words we will ever share. Right?

Dan Simon:

Absolutely. Right. have friends from high school going way, way back. We get together pretty much once a year and they know my religious beliefs and they know my political beliefs. But when we get together, we have great conversations. Yeah. And they've said to me before, you know, you're the only person from that side of the aisle, if you will, that I've ever even been able to have a conversation with. Because it's typically about, you know, let me shout louder than you. Right. I believe that in order to build relationship, you have to be open to understanding why someone believes what they do. and to connect with them on that level, to make them feel heard. And in the end of the day, if we don't agree, we don't agree. But I'm gonna respect where you come from. And I'm always gonna be here to be able to support you and come alongside you if you need me. I mean, that is, that's Christ, right? that's what he modeled for us. and who are we To deviate from that in the way that we treat one another, you know? And, everyday, interactions.

Vona Johnson:

So true. Truth in love.

Dan Simon:

Mm-hmm. And I call it grace with accountability. that was always my thing, especially when I went from public school to Christian school, like Grace with accountability. Like, yes, I'm still gonna love you through this. Yes, but you did something you aren't supposed to do. And there's a consequence for that. So, who am I not to forgive you, Right. I mean, every day I'm grateful that God forgives me for my continuation of sin and whatever, that might look like. So of course I'm gonna forgive you, but there's gonna be an action that has to be taken, and it's for the betterment of yourself and understanding that down the road. So, yeah, that, grace with accountability phrase came up. when I started in Christian education, and that has been my. Motto, ever since in any organization that I lead or that I'm part of.

Vona Johnson:

I love it. This has been wonderful. I really have enjoyed this conversation and I think we could go on for a very long time.

Dan Simon:

Okay.

Vona Johnson:

I do have one last question for you. if someone is listening to this and they're at that point, wherever it is, whatever age it is or whatever, and they're like, should I, shouldn't I? What's your best advice for someone who's debating about whether they should take this step, go where God's leading them or not?

Dan Simon:

Hmm. I call my Gideon moments, right? even with starting the chapter of C-Suite for Christ in Raleigh Durham I kind of felt like an imposter. Like I don't have a business background, I don't have the understanding of, sales and recruitment and, if I just wanna love on people and minister, why this? so I kept throwing out the fleece, like, Lord, if it's from you make the dry fleece wet and the next morning there was an answer to a question that I didn't expect. Oh, okay. Well that's great. But. Now I'm gonna put out the wet fleece. And if it's dry in the morning, then, the next piece. There came a point where I was like, like Gideon. I'm gonna stop testing you now. You've made it clear to me That the concerns that I had, the uncomfortableness about certain things are gone. And so at that point, I don't know exactly how it's gonna work, and I'm still figuring a lot of it out. But I have faith that God brought me for a purpose to meet people, to impact people and I have had, I've always struggled with that idea. And I think people who are thinking about stepping away and starting something, there's that question about the ideal client, right? The ICA. Mm-hmm. I started with, ah, I'll help anybody. Right? And I was told, that's great, but that's not an ICA. Right? I mean, you've gotta have, you know, the exact who's sitting across from you? How old are they? what's their name? Yeah. Have a name. I'm not there yet. But I'm getting clarity and I'm getting closer. Yeah. Because I'm, I'm really starting to focus on opportunities where he opens a door and I've always been a believer if he opens a door, I'm gonna step through it. Yeah. And I'm gonna pray that he either opens it further for me to step further in, or preferably, doesn't slam it, but, you know, kind of gently closes the door so I back away. And I know there's a different door for me to walk through. Right. But I'll never know that. If I don't trust him enough to step through the door in the first place. So I think for me it's that I think, you know, you have to have a period of time of, you know, the pros and cons. Yeah. What are the sacrifices that I would make? How would this impact my family, my spouse, my children, my relationships? You know, what, what are the skills that I don't have that I think I need to be successful here? And who can I surround myself with? That are going to perhaps help lift me up, you know? Mm-hmm. Be Aaron to raise Moses' arms up. Right? I mean, who are those people going to be? And I think when those people show up and you start recognizing the clarity to some of those things that you feel like you're lacking, then that's the place where we know it's just, it's been the enemy the whole time. And I always tell kids this too, especially ones who've gone through a lot of trauma, the enemy won't bother you. If you weren't gonna have some kind of impact for the kingdom, right, he'd leave you alone. I mean, if you're not gonna affect or impact the kingdom, Why would he bother you? So when you begin to have doubts about something that you think you're gonna do, and you're going to serve God in it, and you're gonna give God the glory and you're gonna lead people to Christ through it, you could probably expect that you're gonna run into doubt and you're gonna run into challenges. Which just for me, it further solidifies the idea that. this is where the Lord wants me to be.

Vona Johnson:

Yeah. Oh, that's really beautiful. So, if someone is listening today and they're in that Raleigh Durham area and they're intrigued by this C-suite for Christ idea, how could they get ahold of you to learn more about it?

Dan Simon:

Sure. Well we have a LinkedIn page. The C-Suite for Christ has a national, and then we have our separate chapter pages. So C-Suite for Christ Raleigh Durham can be found on LinkedIn. I have of course, a personal contact on LinkedIn as well. And then I would say if there's a place in the podcast to, to put my contact information I would love to share my cell phone. My, email address and not even just about C-Suite for Christ. I mean, anybody who's in that place of like, I am on the fence and I just don't know if I'm too young. I, you know, I actually was just having this conversation with my best friend earlier today. Like, he saw something and he is like, I think I'm ready and I'm just not sure. And I said, well, the first thing you gotta do is put your hat in the ring. Because if it's not meant to be, it'll be No. But now you're taking that leap of faith in a sense of, but I'm stepping outta my comfort zone to something else. And that may be all you need to do for God to say, oh, now you're ready. Alright, well I have something else for you. So, I'd love to just talk anybody through that, that place where they are, where they're not sure or they just have doubts and maybe just wanna chat about it. That's where I believe God has led me at this point in my life, in my professional and personal life. And I'm ready to answer the call where, wherever God points.

Vona Johnson:

I love it. I will absolutely put your contact information in the show notes, so anybody that's, and this is gonna be both video and audio, so it'll be in both places.

Dan Simon:

I just got my hair cut then. A great job of that too, so, yeah.

Vona Johnson:

Yeah. No, perfect. This has been wonderful, and I just wanna thank you so much for taking the time to visit with us today. There's so many words of wisdom, gold nuggets here that we can take. And I'm gonna finish with one thought that you shared the other day when we visited. And I thought it was really cool. And you talked about getting to our Nineveh. Right.

Dan Simon:

want me to reiterate that again?

Vona Johnson:

Would you do that one?

Dan Simon:

I use this with kids'cause I think it's a visual that they can understand. You know, when I do my vocation, college and career training in Christian schools, particularly because I can use scriptural references there, you always talk about starting sooner than later, right? To try to explore what has he gifted me with What am I good at? What do I like spending my time doing, Because so many adults, change jobs multiple times, takes them sometimes three or four decades to find that place where they wanna be, but you know, eventually they find it. And so I always like to reference, Nineveh and say, look he, you know, Jonah had a chance to go to Nineveh through the route that God told him, I want you to go. And he could have, taken a camel or taken wherever and he could have ended up in Nineveh, right? He chose not to. Yeah. But he still ended up in Nineveh when the whale vomited him out of his mouth onto the shores of Nineveh. Right. So no matter what. God is a calling on our life. Right? we're gonna end up where God is calling us and wherever it is that he's preparing us for. The question is how do you want to get there? Right? And so to me that visual is a great way to say, I feel like God might be calling. Alright, well what's the first step towards Nineveh that you need to take, Right. To see. And if you are going the wrong direction, you can be pretty sure there's gonna be a whale that's gonna swallow you up. Spit out where you belong and where you should be.

Vona Johnson:

Yeah. Beautiful, beautiful analogy. And I think it's a great place to end our conversation. So thank you so much Daniel. I have enjoyed this so much and I look forward to additional conversations in the future.

Dan Simon:

as well. Thank you so much for having Vona. I really appreciate it. And thank you again. Glad to be a point of contact for anybody who just wants to chat.

Vona Johnson:

Perfect.

This conversation really reminded me of chapter 14 of A Different View called the Expectation shift. And in that I talk about a lot of things and how sometimes we get dissatisfied or we have doubts in our life and we start making changes and don't realize that God doesn't always let us in on his plans or we don't get to see his perspective. And the one of the paragraphs that relate to that is I've learned that God doesn't always work in the way we think he will or how we would do it. We have a tendency to think we'll take the direct route from where we are to where we want to go, but God often will lead us around obstacles and challenges We cannot see. Or he will allow us to take the route with numerous barriers so we can learn lessons to grow in our faith. We often forget that he sees what is along our journey and prepares us for the challenges ahead. There's so much more in this chapter that I felt really related to my conversation with Dan today, but I wanted to share that with you. I also wanted to share with you a verse that came up. It's Ephesians 2:10. We are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You see, just because we retired doesn't mean that we are truly done with the work that God created us to do. He has meaningful work prepared for us to do throughout our lives, including and beyond retirement. Just remember finishing well means continuing to walk in the purpose that God has laid out for us, even when the path looks different than we think it will. I pray that this has blessed you. I just wanna thank you so much for stopping by today. It's always so good to have you here Stop back in two weeks for more of courageous retirement. Until then, engage your faith, finish well and always, always live your more.