Twenty Four and Counting

I almost skipped my quiet time with God this morning. I hit snooze a few too many times, causing me to start my run a bit late, but had such a great run, I decided to go a little longer than usual, putting me that much further behind getting ready for the day. I can't say exactly what prompted me to go ahead and sit down in my favorite chair, pull out my Bible, journal, and current study, but as I turned to a fresh blank page in my journal and began my entry by recording the date, I was so thankful I'd taken the time. Today is Monday, July 13, 2009.

Last night I received an email from a precious friend stating that she and her husband are rejoicing with the angels for Jesus had called their granddaughter's name, and she said "Yes!" I like that because twenty four years ago today, Jesus called my name, and I said "Yes!"

Sometimes, I hesitate to write posts like this one because I'm afraid it'll sound more cheesy than truly express the depth of genuine awe, wonder, and pure joy that floods my heart when I think about it. Should I just keep it to myself? Have a private celebration just between me and Jesus? Certainly, there's an element of that. There are things I whispered to the Lord from my favorite chair this morning that are for His ears alone, and the tender way that He responds through His magnificent Word is not even something I could truly tell you about if I tried with all my best words.

But, just like a regular birthday often warrants a quiet family celebration as well as a larger, more public outright party, I think this day deserves at least a public blog mention.

I've been thinking about the significance of twenty four years. Does my life look like that of a 24 year old believer should? The longer I walk with Jesus the more I realize what a beautiful metaphor exists between the physical life and the spiritual. I think that anyone walking closely with me at this time in my life would say that I very much look like a twenty four year old. There are moments of true maturity, responsiblity, and evidence of the capability to accomplish significant things in service to my King. However, there are also some serious lapses in judgement, times when I seem to slip backwards, preferring to lean more heavily on family and shun true personal responsibility, times when I act more like a young teenager than a fully grown woman.

Twenty four years sounds like a long time, and it has been. I have so many things to celebrate today. I think the greatest thing about celebrating twenty four years of life in Christ is knowing that it's still just the beginning. The words from Amazing Grace ring in my ears as I reach for words to tell you what I'm thinking right now. "When we've been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we've first begun." Eternity, that's what I have to look forward to with my sweet Savior.

I Corinthians 13:11-12 ... When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a (wo)man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.