Day One.

7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."- Philippians 3:7-11

Yesterday was my 365th day of being 28. and Today marks day 1 of being 29. My final year in my twenties. My new embarking on a new year in a new age that I never EVER thought or dreamed of getting or being brought to.

My awestruck wonder manifests from from sitting here, being 29 and thinking about when I was at the end of my teens about to enter the life of a 20 year old I had a thought and a feeling continually that there wasn't much point in planning ahead because I knew I wouldn't live past 21. No drug overdoses, or self harm planned. I just always had assumed for as long as I could remember that I would die young not making it to 22 and beyond. Because of this idea, I never planned ahead in the sense of education or career, though quality relationships were always crucial to me.

However when I turned 22 I realized that I wasn't going to die. Not in a physical sense at least. When I was 22 I was in the midst of a battle. God was battling for the life of his daughter. I have spent many a birthdays doing different things. I have spent birthdays studying, I have spent birthdays with friends and I have spent birthdays completely alone. On my 23rd Birthday I spent the majority of the day silent. I went from class to class quietly and just reflecting. I had bible study that evening and I went and celebrated with my friends and my mentor made me an ice cream cake (the best kind). A month later in that same 23rd year I surrendered my life to Christ.

As I reflect on this being my 29th Birthday and how far God has brought me in the life he has ultimately called me towards beginning at 22 when the search on my end significantly began and where his pursuit of my life continued, I have realized something huge...

I did die at age 21. God began the process at least. "I once thought these things were valuable". If I'm honest I can't even remember the details of meaning in my life before 22. But with in that year of dieing to myself and in the continual revival God brings to my life daily, I really am blown away that I am 29 and blessed to serve the King who saved my life. And I am thankful that I can at least begin to identify "counting everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."- Philippians 3:8

"24If you try to hang onto your life, you will loose it. But if you give up your life for my sake you will save it. 25And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?"- Luke 9:24-25

In my reflection, in years, months and days that pass... Everyday is day 1.

-Keep Adventuring.