Today is my 22nd birthday and I’m now one month into my world race so I’m reapinse, I’ve decided to write a letter to 23-year old me.
Dear Me,
Today, you are 23! Wow! You’ve been back in America for about two months now and I’m sure it’s been pretty tough. You’ve gone through so much change this year.
You’ve experienced the Living God in ways that I can’t even imagine yet. Your teammates have helped form you and shape you to be more like Jesus. Your hosts have encouraged you and taught you so much about ministry around the world. Many have come to know the Father and many others have gone much deeper with Him. After all that, I’m willing to bet that you’re struggling to adjust back to “normal” life. A year changes a lot of things, but I believe in you! I believe that you’re listening closely for the Lord’s next call for you. By now you might have a pretty solid life plan, but you also might not and I’m not disappointed either way. We’ll figure it out one step at a time.
So, future me, here are some of the things I am hoping for you:
I hope that you are more confident in the person you were made to be. I hope that you have learned to love and trust others deeply again even knowing the risks. I hope that you’ve been wild and adventurous and that you’ll continue to be any chance you get. I hope that you’ve learned to dance freely and openly because it is beautiful, joyful worship. I hope that you’ve gained the courage to lead those closest to you to Christ. I hope that you have a more in depth knowledge of The Word. I hope that you are humble and kind (maybe even a little less sarcastic). I hope that you’ve gotten better at (almost) always responding with compassion and a listening ear. I hope that you have grown in your gifts of the Spirit and discovered new ones. Most of all, I hope that you’re happy. I hope that you’re not just happy, but truly satisfied in the One who leads you.
I’m sure you won’t be able to top our 22nd birthday celebration, but I believe you’ll manage. Today I write you from a van on my way to a palace in India. It’s only 3pm and I’ve already eaten at two incredible restaurants, gotten up close and personal with some monkeys, saw THREE waterfalls, and floated around some body of water in a boat that looked like a bowl. I promise this isn’t all just for me, it happens to be adventure day… still I’ve got it pretty good over here, but I find myself thinking of you and all that will happen for you in the future. You’re a pretty incredible human and I pray for you all the time.
22 is going to be so awesome.
Love,
Me
