The concept of Christian-as-pilgrim is certainly not lost on me. Born and raised in Encino, California (Michael Jackson country), I’ve lived in West Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Silverlake, North London, Glasgow, Laughlin, Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Las Vegas, Glendale and now Phoenix.

I’ve tried to live in San Diego and Maui to no avail and am frequently accused of being lost in my own world. HA!

I don’t think I’ve ever truly felt at home. Anywhere. While attending Prescott College we had a get-to-know-your-classmates activity where we interviewed on another. I was asked where I felt the most comfortable. I replied, “The Stage.” Any actor with theater training would understand that remark. A universal world that can happen anywhere but one not limited to time or space or perspective: The Stage.

Such is also The Kingdom Of God. It lives where we are but it exists on its own terms and does not need us to know it, understand it or even believe in it in order to exist. And yet that is where my hope lies. That is where I seek to travel daily. That is where I am leading my kids, my friends, and hopefully all of you.

I’ve given up of feeling comfortable or even safe in any given environment. When people ask me about my happiness or state of being I never know how to respond. I have purposely let go of a lifetime of selfish pursuits of immediate gratification- now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Saint and I struggle with my flesh daily- in order to be available to God’s ministry 24/7.

In doing so I find more and more that I’m not even all that comfortable in my own skin. In all honesty my skin (flesh) is what causes all my troubles anyways. It wars against the things of God and it gets older daily! One day this stupid shell that I look at every waking hour will decide for me when my time is up. NO FAIR!

My youthful, God-blessed, ecstatic spirit deserves more! And more it is promised. The Bible tells us that where we find our treasure we find our heart. I’m storing mine with Jesus. Roll your eyes all you want but if you don’t have a relationship with Him, you certainly don’t know what you are missing.

But I do.

Ask me about it while I’m on this strange, awkward journey toward the end of the hour glass where my life actually begins. I, like Jesus before me, am only here for a short while and I want to effect as many lives as I can before I take my place in The Blood-Washed Band.