Twenty-Eight years of life, and I’ll say what most of you would likely and without hesitation claim in unison with me concerning life up to this point: messy, painful, worthwhile. That’s where I’m at, that’s how I see it. Like most of you, my life didn’t quite go as expected or as I dreamed when I was a little boy. Behind big eyes gazing on a wonderful world was a little heart not built at all for the realities that suffering, sin and tragedy would bring to the table as I grew into a man. But as I arrive at this mid-life moment of nostalgia for what I’ve seen, disappointment of where I have yet to be, and hope for what is to be traveled, my takeaways have never felt clearer.

Takeaway one: God loves me much more than I will ever comprehend. This love, that not only gave itself up on the cross of Calvary but would continue to recklessly pursue me in all my pride, misfortune and foolish calculations has not only rescued me from the depths of Hell, but it has been a sure protection over my physical life in the here and now. Oh, and every time God “showed up,” I, like didn’t deserve it at all. Undeserved, drenched in grace and compassion, radical kind of love for me.

Takeaway two: God’s favor provides a pathway towards victory and freedom in this life – but I must want it more than absolutely anything else. As real and raw the reality of my sin and the broken state of my past is, God has a plan and a desire to advance His glory through me by enriching my testimony with incredible freedom and victory over any sin, habit or past addiction in life. Wretched, sinful man that I am, I am still a child of God and that carries a weight, and a promise that we should be more mindful of. If I fix my gaze on Jesus, cling to the sweetness of obedience and courageously follow, He will without a doubt empower me to overcome pain, setbacks or broken parts I no longer need to carry with me. And while my testimony is a reminder of what a broken person can go through and experience, my journey with Jesus will just as powerfully embark me on a pilgrimage that leaves addiction and shame and foolish thinking in the review mirror.

Takeaway three: I worship a God whose authority matters, but whose intimacy is unique and adaptable for me and my individual walk with Him…When we read the Bible, we can feel really overwhelmed by the principles for life and living that it lays out so clearly. Or in other words, we can feel the reality of how far from the mark we are. And I think what is most critical when we arrive at that realization is remembering that it is (a) good to be called higher and reach towards holiness – and (b) at the same time we are granted the mercy and compassion from God to be honest about what needs mending, forging and surgery in our souls. When we read God’s design for things like marriage, family and lifestyle from Scripture, we don’t need to fall into shame for how far we feel from the definitions God has laid out. However, at the same time, we should not feel so dependent upon and comfortable with His grace that we forget the joy we can experience and the power that could be displayed in our lives when we diligently seek to follow those blueprints of living that God has laid out in Scripture for.

Takeaway four: The magnitude, joy and direction for my next twenty-eight years of life will be wholly defined by what I am willing to not compromise on, what I AM willing to lay down at the alter of Jesus, and where I place every ounce of my worship…God only knows what lies ahead of me. Where my feet will find solid ground, and the days when I will stumble and lose my footing. He knows about the next time I will cry, feel angry, and face temptation to disengage from His presence. He knows what the next tragedy will be. The wins and losses, the greatest highs and lows…He will be right there. With the invitation to lean deep into Him and make much of His goodness and glory in the process. My prayer for each of us is that we would not be vessels so sure of ourselves that we ride the waves alone. And at the same time, that we would be vessels so sure of our God that we would journey through every high and stormy gale entirely transfixed on the face of Jesus.

If I sent you this link today, it just means you’ve played some type of role in my life, and I want to thank you for it. Acknowledge that God has displayed Himself to me through you. And honor the position you hold in my life as a family member, friend, mentor or co-worker. And while I don’t know what tomorrow holds, I know the maker of Heaven and Earth and the people He has put into my life will prove to be the strongest and most beautiful reality. I hope whoever is reading this is being surprised in their current season by the sweetness of God’s power and steadfastness of His love. Comforted by the advances of His Holy Spirit and held together by the promise of His gospel to never let go, never leave us where He found us, and always welcome us into the story He is eagerly brining to life.

P.S. This was super spontaneous. Please forgive me for any misspellings and egregious grammatical errors :)

Much love,

Ryken