Thirty years ago today, on November 12, 1981, God sovereignly pulled me from my mother’s womb at 5:28 p.m. I was a cone head, high yellow, funny looking baby, but God caused my mom and grandparents to fall in love with me anyway. As I look back, I can truthfully admit one thing.
What a ride it’s been.
I was sick a lot in my early years, and my parents learned rather quickly that I had a rather weak stomach. Being an only child, I learned to use my imagination, allowing me to escape into worlds where I was a superhero, ninja, scientist, and more. Entering school, God allowed for my scholastic endeavors to be blessed with high grades, and I won many awards but gained quite a few enemies along the way. I learned to fight after being constantly bullied, and I learned to forgive after being constantly wronged. God saved me when I was eight, called me to preach when I was eleven, and the Spirit has been teaching me every since. I lost my virginity in late high school, although I lost my purity years before due to lustful thoughts and desires. I’ve fallen constantly, but each time, God allowed me to face Godly sorrow. I’m far from perfect, but God is far from unforgiving. I met my bride to be when I was around 18, started dating her around 9 years later, and made her my wife five months ago. I’ve had several Crohn’s flare ups, been in the hospital more times in my younger years than you’ll probably go your entire life, and got into two near death accidents. I’ve swallowed joy, tasted defeat, done a lot, but not enough. Through all of that, I’ve learned a valuable lesson.
God is enough. My sins leave me so unsatisfied. My wife loves me, but she can’t heal me. My mother prays for me, but she can’t deliver me. My career has been fruitful, but it can’t keep me. God is all of the above. I can proclaim what Solomon said and decree that all is vanity without God, but all things given to me are platforms to proclaim Christ. Jesus is worthy. Able. Lovely. Beautiful. Powerful. Sovereign. Mighty. Forgiving. Gracious.
and mine.
Bravo, Lord. Thank you for 30 years. I applaud your Name, Christ. You’ve been so good, and all I can say is ‘encore’. Do it again, God. Keep amazing me. Keep keeping me. Keep humbling me. Keep sanctifying me. Keep being you. If this house burns down, I know I’ll never taste the flames because of your Son swallowing them whole.
soli Deo gloria!
