A Letter to My 30-Year-Old Self

Not long ago, while reading in the book of 1 Corinthians, I stopped at the thirteenth chapter. In verse 11, the Apostle Paul says, “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” Paul’s words to the church of Corinth got me thinking about years past — and all the mistakes I made along the way. I mean, if I could go back in time, boy would I change so many things!

For one, I would have checked the depth of the water before taking a reckless dive into shallow water and breaking my neck at the age of 17! But more than that, I would have taken a deeper look into my heart. Back then, I was nowhere near the Christian I claimed to be. If my church youth leader had ever found out what I was doing on a weekend with my boyfriend — yikes! But the truth is, even after my diving accident, when I thought I had fully given my life to Christ… my heart still wasn’t where it was supposed to be. By my early 30s, I thought I was doing everything right: I had written the Joni book; the Joni movie was bringing people to Jesus; I had started Joni and Friends to reach out to families affected by disability.

But while I was actively engaged in the ministry God had called me to do, I was nowhere near as engaged in who he called me to be. So, what would I tell my 30-year-old self, now that I’m nearing 70? I recently answered this question in an article I wrote for Desiring God Ministries. Because although I cannot change my past, I can — like the Apostle Paul — pause to reflect on where God has brought me and how I have grown in Christ. And you can, too. So, ask yourself: If I had any words of wisdom to give to my “younger self,” what would they be? Then check out my letter to my 30-year-old self and be encouraged to grow in Christ, no matter what your age!