Reflections on my 38th Birthday

 

Today I celebrate my 38th Birthday.

So, let me start with a few notable facts about my birthday.

• I was born on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15th, 1975.
• My son was born on Mother’s Day which is a bit of a coincidence.
• Drew, Sarah and I all share the same day of the week for our birthdays. This year it’s Saturday, next year it will be Sunday, etc.
• Historically, I have always said that “I celebrate the entire month as my birthday.”
• I also claim to be my age “and a half” during the month of December.

A Few Reflections on turning 38 today…

1. For some reason, I have always thought that 38 would be when I would, “Enter my Prime…”

I’m not sure why or when the first time I thought about it like that was, but for some reason, “38” always seemed like the age that I would “Enter my prime.” Or the age where I would feel like I am at my best. Introspectively, this year, I think I would say that I feel like I definitely love having the experience under my belt that I do. I love being as far along as we are and being able to pour wisdom into the younger generation behind me. Honestly, I can say that I know we have a long way to go, but I do feel like we are stepping into the best years of our lives!

2. I think 38 feels older than I thought 38 would feel.

I think I would say this is the first year that I haven’t felt “young.” I’ve always been the young guy in the room for as long as I can remember. In the Bible, Paul writes that, “he was advanced beyond his contemporaries.” And forever, Sarah and I have always felt like we could relate to that. Like we have always been “the young ones in the room.” I’m not sure I feel that as much anymore. (Although I know so many of you are probably still thinking, “What? Yes you are.” I know, I know.)

3. I am so thankful for my family this year.

I certainly can say that I am so thankful for my family this year. My boys are at an amazing age where they love to talk about fun things and to engage in invigorating conversations (about baseball statistics and roster moves, etc.) And they are both becoming small glimpses of the men of God they will one day be. I am so proud of my boys this year! So proud.

And Sarah means more to me than I have ever known. The amount of change our world has known in the last 2 years has been beyond anything we ever imagined and yet I can say that watching her resolve, tenacity, and grace through it all has been nothing but inspiring and fueling for me as a husband and leader. Her belief in me makes me able to do what I do in more ways than she will ever know. I am not a shadow of who I am today without her. I am so thankful for her this year.

4. I don’t think we dreamed we would be this far when we started 11 years ago.

From the beginning, we always knew that Next Level Church would be a church that would impact the region of Southwest Florida in a great way and would ultimately be a church capable of impacting our nation and a generation. But if you would have asked me 11 years ago if it would look like this, I never could have painted it this way. It’s so much different. And so much better than I ever dreamed it could be. I truly never dreamed a church could be this healthy and life-giving and fun! In the words of my great friend Mike Ash (who has celebrated a lot of these birthdays with me now), he said recently, “We work in one of the greatest organizations anywhere in America now.” I believe that. I really do.

5. I have a great expectation that between now and 40 are going to be 2 of the most strategic years of my life.

My final observation on my 38th birthday is that I have this overwhelming sense that the next 730 days of my life are going to be some of the most strategic I have ever lived. I know in my heart that these next 2 years are going to be truly heart-shaping, foundational years that the next 40 years of my life and influence will be built upon. My prayer today and for the last couple of years has consistently been, “God, do what you need to do in me to make me the kind of person you can trust to lead and impact a generation.” Let it be so this year, Lord. Let it be so.

Lastly, I just want to say thank you to everyone of you who allow me the opportunity to influence your life in some way. Through the ministry of our church in southwest Florida, through our coaching, in our tribe, on our staff, and even virtually through the weekly articles on this website, or with inspirational bursts on twitter and facebook. I know there are an infinite amount of voices you could choose to allow to speak into your life through these channels. Thank you for letting me be one.

I don’t take that for granted.

Here’s to #38…