In 1981, the year I was born, the following major events took place:

– Prince Charles marries Princess Diana
– 5 men are diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia…later to be understood that these were the first US cases of AIDS
– the first launch of the Space Shuttle, Columbia
– first modern suicide bomb in Beirut:  car bomb kills 61 people outside the Iraqi Embassy
– MTV is launched
– IBM releases its first of what is called the Personal Computer – the PC

From then until now, so much has changed.  Prince Charles became a widower following the tragic death of his wife.  AIDS has become a world-wide epidemic with over a million people in the US alone living with HIV.  The final Space Shuttle mission ended this year with Atlantis returned to the Kennedy Space Center concluding a historic 30 year legacy of space exploration.  Suicide bombing  has become a near daily occurrence in the Middle East and the US is slowly following suit.  MTV has gained enough popularity to impact the social climate of the country and the world.  The revolutionary Steve Jobs, who changed the very culture of computer technology, passed away yesterday. 

And as one chapter closes, another one begins. 

Amid the gradual shifting of society, the real question is: Who have I become these thirty years?  The ambitious, the passionate, and the fearless will undoubtedly become famous and make the greatest impact in societal trends.  I like to believe that when I look back at my life, I’ve made some sort of mark in this world – maybe a small footprint, but a footprint nonetheless.  Our generation has always wanted to stand out, to be different.  Honestly, I would have loved to make it into history books for revolutionizing the educational system or for becoming a great abolitionist for child sex slavery.  It would give me great pride to be the one responsible for ending world hunger or shutting down all puppy mills.  But I’ve come to realize one thing.  It goes back to my initial question.  It’s not really about what I’ve done, but who I’ve become. 

Humanity is constantly changing as knowledge increases and lifestyles evolve.  But I’ve come to realize that in this fluid landscape, one thing remains true:  God is still desperately trying to save our souls.  He is competing with the ever-changing world to win our attention and our hearts.  Looking back, I can say that my greatest breakthroughs, the historical markers in my life’s journey, can be traced back to simple lessons of faith from the human experience.  Though seemingly unimportant and trivial to society, they have been the very fibers that made up who I am.  How we treat others, what job we take, how often we pray, who we marry, how we raise our children, if we are faithful to Him…these are the issues that matter to God because they determine who we will ultimately become.  His Mission is unmoved regardless of how much we know, how styles have changed, and how technology has advanced.  The question He asks is:  What can I do to bring My child Home?

I am shocked to see what has happened in our world during my lifetime.  But I can tell you with greatest sincerity that I am more moved by how Jesus has been my unchanging Rock these thirty years. 

I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I hope to be in another world;
but still I am not what I once used to be,
and by the grace of God I am what I am.
-John Newton              

I’ve had an extraordinary thirtieth birthday full of happiness, laughter, surprises, and tears of joy.  I thank the Lord for my family, loved ones, and a heavenly hope amidst this sin-darkened world.  And I’m so thankful that He’s still in it to change me.