So I’ve turned 30. For some reason after you leave your 20s, you can no longer hide behind being “twenty-something.” People might take you more seriously, but they also expect more. As I reflect on what I’ve accomplished (or not), worked through and experienced over the past 10 years, I figured I’d let you in on a few lessons I’ve learned.
My prayer is that these lessons help inspire all of us to grow on the journey God is calling you to pursue. If you’re in your 20s, maybe the lessons are helpful. If you’re older and wiser, maybe it’ll help you reflect on your last 10 years as well.
- God prepares, I’m along for the ride. I earned a Business degree from MUN (2008) before moving into theology. I thought I was running from God’s call to ministry, but it turns out God was preparing me. It was one of the best educational decisions I could have made.
- Marriage is the best commitment I’ve ever made. July 11, 2009 will always be the beginning of my biggest and most exciting adventure!
- Going to Bible College as a married couple took off all the pressure. While everyone was trying to find the love of their life, we were on the crazy journey of working, learning and exploring Toronto. I wouldn’t give up the experience for anything!
- School is expensive and loans aren’t free. I’m still paying for every good and bad decision I made as a student. Have fun, but think twice before spending money.
- Commuting is draining. After commuting in Toronto for over a year, I will avoid commuting in the future at all costs! Sometimes we convince ourselves that we have to make a certain amount of money, but the cost of distance is very draining on a marriage.
- Don’t shy away from big opportunities. At 25 years old, I took on the role of Lead Pastor of a small church (Bethel Bay Roberts). I didn’t think I was ready, and I probably wasn’t. But God doesn’t always call the equipped, he can also equip those who are called (Hebrews 13:21).
- Taking healthy risks is never a bad thing. Risk can sometimes lead to failure, but risks always lead to learning something new. One thing I can say for sure – innovative success always beginnings with a healthy risk.
- You’re never ready for kids. I will never have enough energy, time or money. No matter what, we had to adjust what we had in order to “train up a child in the way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6).
- Raising kids is exhausting, but extremely exciting. I wonder where my toddler’s energy comes from, because I don’t have it. We might celebrate an “early bedtime” kind of night, but waking up to a child who calls me “daddy” is the beginning of a good day.
- My wife has to come before my kids. I love my kids and they are my pride and joy, but my wife and I are a life-long team. She’s my “partner in crime” and I can’t afford for my kids, or anything else, to derail that.
- Dedication and commitment always pay off in the long term. I’ve blogged on and off for the past five years. Once I committed myself to posting at least one new post a week, engagement increased over 200 percent.
- Every aspect of my life is connected. My health, work, and home life all affect each other. It’s all too common to focus on one thing as we try to improve. I’m not exactly great at keeping the balance, but I’m learning I can’t work on one and not the other.
#Learn from the past; focus on #growth for the future. #discipleship #tenyears Click To TweetAnd now it’s time for decade #3! Thanks for reading and make sure to reflect yourself! Learn from the past; focus on growth for the future.
Your turn…
What have you learned in the past 10 years? How can you leverage those lessons to increase personal growth for the years to come?
I would love to hear from you! Feel free to comment below, on social media, or by email (andrewholm@gmail.com). SUBSCRIBE HERE!
