“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24-25 CSB

The other day a memory came up on my timeline from a training I had for youth small group leaders. The crazy part, it was from seven years ago, seven years ago and still I have the same training for leaders because the core remains the same. It’s about the heart, about discipleship, about growth, true growth that comes from a firm foundation in Christ.

My dear Danielle’s birthday was also this past weekend, and it was so fun to look back at our own story and the years from when we met to who we are now.

When I look back I see a joy-filled spirit in every moment. Now that doesn’t mean every moment has been amazing and wonderful, there have been lost jobs, heartaches, and unknowns, yet in every season our foundation has remained the same and our joy has not been quelled.

I’m so thankful for the growth, not becoming hardened and angry, but remaining joyful in all seasons because of our foundation in a loving God.

I’ve been in an interesting new season of life, trying to understand what God is doing and leading me and our family into what’s next. I recently left my ministry position because my convictions and heart became increasingly not the direction the church is headed, and I chose to listen to the Holy Spirit and step away before I would be asked to. What’s hard about leaving a ministry and church community, is that you pretty much become forgotten the moment you leave, and that’s not something to be angry about, it just happens.

And in this season, I remain joyful.

I get to spend much more time with sweet Violet as she grows (way too fast I might add), as well as support dear Danielle.

I am joy-filled because Christ is a God of joy.

“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 CSB

Growth means building off of your foundation into a fruitful life.

The whole point of following Jesus is that your life will reflect the goodness of Him in you. As I continue to grow, I learn more lessons from my mistakes, wins, and life changes which all lead me to be more loving and more joyful.

Life gets tough, and as someone who battles their own anxiety and depression, it can be easy to let things build up in my mind and paralyze me. What I choose to do in these darker moments, is to remember the joyful things, the things that comes from Christ’s blessing in, my life, to reshape my perspective. When I do that, it causes me to love others. There are so many people around you fighting their own battles, external and internal, why would I not choose to be kind and loving?

Following Jesus is not about getting into heaven, it’s about living out the freedom Christ has freely given you, bringing a taste of heaven to everyone around you.

Getting older is a good thing; with growth comes wisdom.

I started this blog when I graduated high school in twenty thirteen, because I had a message to share and no place to share it. So, I started blogging little messages here because I wanted to use the voice God has gifted me with. That was twelve years ago, and I have grown so much in that time. I started a family, got ministry jobs and non-ministry jobs, and grown into a more authentic faith with each passing year.

I’ve been around people that look back at their twenties and wish to be young again…and to be honest, I’m going to be thirty-one this October, and I do not desire that at all. I love growing more and more each year, because I can look back at the goodness of God in my life and take what I’ve learned forward into the years ahead of me. I don’t desire to be the same person I once was, I desire to grow more and more in Christ and by doing that, growing in my wisdom.

No one has it all figured out, especially me, but I can continue to grow in wisdom by seeking wisdom. Growing up is great, and I love that I remain joyful in all things.

It all begins with your foundation, what are your roots tethered to? Only with a Christ centered foundation can you truly build up and grow into a more loving and joyful person. That’s how in seasons of hardship and unknowns like I find myself in now, I can still have joy, because I know God is working. Things might look different, ministry might look different, but my calling to love others and share a message has not changed because Christ has not changed.

Christ remains the same loving and kind creator in every season.

That is who my foundation is built upon and who is the source of my joy. I am so thankful for growing up and remaining joyful with every season. I get to be a Christ follower, a husband to my best friend, and a father to a sweet little girl I can help be kind.

My prayer for you is that you build a foundation on Christ that will produce fruit in you. Be a light to the world around you and embrace the growth with each year.

• Your pastor and friend, Joshua.

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About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the only social media he uses, Bluesky and Instagram