That's a picture of me at 21 on my journey from Virginia to Honduras - my first assignment in my first real job. It took me seven days to arrive. But at 65, I'm realizing that I will never really arrive.

Life brings a continual series of challenges. We get to either hide or meet them. We're forever having the opportunity to move forward in some way.

What does this look like?

As you age, it can look like your body failing you for no apparent reason. I was playing pickleball a few weeks ago and and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, my elbow started hurting! Apparently, random parts of your body stop working as you get older.

Even things like our character (that we assume is just fine) can change. There is no normative age of maturity. The older person who makes your life miserable may themselves be emotionally stuck and taking their pain out on you.

I find that Jesus gave me what I need to navigate this messy life I live. I focus on his words in Matthew 5–7 - The gospel of grace and forgiveness.

Then I look at Matthew 8–9, the gospel of modeling and imitation.

Then I look at Matthew 10, the gospel of dependence and intimacy.

And then I look at 1 Corinthians 12, and think about the complexity of the body of Christ and the room that we need to create for all the gifts to operate.

This is when I see the kingdom come in all its glory.