Reaching a new age that ends in a 0 can prompt a wide array of reactions: introspection, celebration, pride, angst, despair, or many others. For me, turning 30 is certainly no cause for alarm. I am thankful that I’ve been allowed to live this long. I am thankful for the wonderful blessings that God has given me over those 30 years: my wonderful wife, my new son, my great extended family, a job I enjoy at a company that treats me well, good friends, a good church, a comfortable place to both live and serve others, good health, and being right with the God of the universe thanks to the blood of Jesus.

Naturally this birthday makes me look inside a bit, at what I’ve done with the 262,800 hours I’ve been here so far. If my life expectancy is 75 years, I am approaching the halfway point of my short time here. I’ve done some good things so far I suppose, but I know I could have done much more, especially from a spiritual perspective. Although I can’t change the past, I can make better choices in the future.

At 30, I am now qualified (by age, at least) to run for the US Senate. In Jewish culture 30 was the age of spiritual responsibility, the age when both John the Baptist and Jesus began their public ministries. I feel the need to accept more responsibility, to be more assertive, to stand taller without baking down in the face of opposition.

My hairline is starting to thin and recede. I have a few gray hairs, even though my shaved head might make them hard to see. I have a few wrinkles near my eyes. But those things don’t really bother me. This is an exciting time. Thank you for joining me on this journey, both through my blog and through your friendship in the real world. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for all of us in the years ahead.