The big 3-0
July 30th, 2010 by Kristi Stephens
Today is my 30th birthday! This post was written in advance because today I am on the road on my way to She Speaks. This day feels surreal. It felt like it would never come. And now it is here.
I am on my way to a conference for which God has been preparing me every step of the way. Over the past few weeks He has provided funding from unexpected places, He has opened doors for appointments and resources, He has allowed me time to write and words to type. He has given me editors and people I needed to guide me along this journey.
The project that has existed in my head, in one form or another, for the past 10 years is starting to come together. It is the reason I changed my major to Bible as a junior in college.
The thing is… I thought I would feel more ready for this day than I do. I always envisioned myself beginning this book project with at least an MDiv under my belt. I thought I would have been on staff at a church. I thought I would have some kind of credentials to prove that I knew what I was talking about.
I don’t have any of those things. I have no official letters behind my name. I’m just a wife and mom. A wife and mom who happens to teach Bible studies and started blogging to encourage my Bible study ladies and keep them up to date when they missed a week here and there.
And it seems that God has said, “Now go!” (Even when I have internally responded, “Please, send someone else!“)
It is significant to me that this is happening on my 30th birthday. It seems that God is fond of the big 3-0.
- Joseph was put into leadership in Pharaoh’s court when we he was 30 years old. (Gen. 41:46)
- Saul was 30 years old when he became the first human king of Israel. (1 Sam 13:1)
- David was 30 years old when he received the crown he had waited so long for. (2 Sam 5:4)
- Jesus was 30 years old when he began his ministry. (Luke 3:23)
Today as I celebrate my birthday alone in a rental car, driving along unfamiliar country with nervous butterflies and occasional self-doubt, I find myself in good company. A boy who became a slave who became an accused criminal who became second in command to Pharaoh. A man who claimed he was from the smallest tribe and the most insignificant clan and who hid among the baggage when Samuel called him to come forward as the divinely-appointed king of Israel. A shepherd boy who killed a giant and later became a fugitive before being recognized as God’s choice to lead His people. A carpenter who most looked at as simply Joseph’s son who might have a screw loose somewhere.
God has called me to do something that seems much too big for me. And when I find myself feeling insignificant because of my small resume and lack of letters behind my name I remember – Joseph, Saul, David – they didn’t have any of those letters, either. They served a God big enough to use them, and all He asked of them was obedience.
I haven’t dreaded turning 30, I’ve looked forward to it. And now I wonder – what doors of ministry will God open in my 30th year?
We shall see. I’d like to say I’m ready, but I’m not – I just know that He’s big enough.
- 14 Comments »
- Posted in Daily life
July 30th, 2010 at 8:18 am
Happy Birthday, Kristi! I hope you have a great weekend!
July 30th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Love it! I very much felt the “Jesus began His earthly ministry at 30″ call when I turned “the Big 3-0″. And in some respects, His sphere of influence was a small one. Just a handful of men and women around him at the end of 3 years’ investment. And yet in God’s reckoning, He was transforming eternity. No matter what we see (or don’t see) God do with our lives and ministry, we can be confident, that when we chose to Glorify and Enjoy Him, we’re doing what we’re made for! Happy 30th Birthday!
July 30th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Happy Birthday! I’m praying for you and all the other ladies attending the conference this weekend… God is going to do great things in and through all of you!
BTW… 30 is my target for my first book to be published… I probably should start writing it… only 3.5 years to go!
Ashley´s last blog ..Top 10 Tuesday- Link Challenge
July 30th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Happy Birthday, Kristi! I remember having those same thoughts at 30, when it seemed like God was opening new doors. Now that 40 is quickly creeping up on me, I wonder if I missed something along the way. Not that the past decade has been wasted – not by a long shot! But still, it’s reassuring to look at servants like Abraham, Moses, Hannah, and Elizabeth and remember that God can open new doors of ministry at any age.
Anyway, I am so excited for the doors God is opening up for you. I’m giddy watching from the sidelines, cheering you on and praying God’s mighty hand of blessing upon you. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a very fruitful time at She Speaks. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Shelli @ Hopefully Devoted´s last blog ..My New Passion
July 30th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Wow! What a significant birthday – that is awesome that it is happening on the very day you embark on this journey! This is one birthday you will never forget! I’m excited for you! Enjoy this day!
Blessings!
Courtney
Courtney(WomenLivingWell)´s last blog ..I Dont Need a Spa – I Need Solitude!
July 30th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
First Happy Birthday! Second, you have no need to be nervous. I have learned so much by reading your blog. I’m doing the #B90Days challenge and you help me make sense of things. So go get ‘em. God is with you all the way.
Kim´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday 7-28-10
July 30th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Happy Birthday! So excited for where God has you in life and how He has used you to touch my life through your blog and the lives of so many others. So excited for your book that is in the works and for the chance to be at She Speaks. May the Lord continue to bless you and use you for His glory through this next year of your life!
July 30th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Happy 30th Birthday! May God continue to use you in extraordinary ways!
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:13 am
Credentials are not as important as passion, determination, giftedness and of course- God’s purpose for your life and ministry. I can give you 17 examples of biblical women who were “just wives and moms” who were used by our extrodinary God. And He will use you too!
Sandra´s last blog ..Five Favorites
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 am
Happy Birthday Kristi. I hope you have a blessed day.
Until I read your post this morning, I had not thought much about when I turned 30. However, it is interesting to read all of the facts you stated about when God gave people certain responsibilities or began ministry. I have a story about what God did in my life when I turned thirty.
I have always grown up with an interest in missions. I believed that God had been preparing me to serve Him in some way from the time I was young. It is funny that the year I turned 30, I gave birth to my third child, and I thought to myself “I am too old now to be called to be a missionary and I guess that God has other plans for my life” I was fully content to be a wife and mother and so I prayed and told the Lord, I was willing to serve Him however He wanted and where ever He wanted.
Little did I know, but God did not think I was too old, and about six months after I had prayed offering to surrender my plans for His, God called both me and my hisband to serve Him overseas, in a very special way.
Like I said, it never really dawned on me before the reality of when Jesus started His ministry at 30, or David becoming crowned King at 30, until this morning. When I think more about it. I was not emotionally or spiritually mature enough to serve God as I am able to now. God used many experiences and lesson He taught me during my twenties to prepare me for the ministry to which He has called me. It is a great reminder that God’s way are better than mine and that if I surrender my will to His I will be blessed in ways beyond my imagination.
Thank you for your post this morning.
Brenda
Brenda´s last blog ..When Invisible Children Sing
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:13 am
Brenda, thank you so much for sharing that – such an encouragement and testimony to God’s bigger plans for our lives!! I agree – experiences in my 20′s have made me a much different person… excited to see what God does!
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:14 am
Thank you so much, Sandra!! [and I hope I can read those 17 examples in a book someday...] ;)
August 3rd, 2010 at 1:39 am
Thank You! Awesome post. Happy Birthday! GOd will and has used you for good.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Happy late birthday!!!!!!!!!!! We are both 30. :)