My life has been the most beautiful mess. Marked by wonderfully and foolishly following the uncommon and seductive voice of my Maker, my walk with Jesus Christ has led me anywhere from the brilliant deserts of Arizona to the dust storms of southern Afghanistan, all the while cradled perfectly in my Heavenly Father’s protective arms.

From a very early age I found myself aware that something was significantly off in the world, that the people around me and myself were in need of desperate repair. Like many teenagers I grew up with in the outskirts of St. Louis, I was fiery and resentful, which turned out to be a perfect time to

hear the Gospel and scoff at its claims. Jesus stormed into my world not long after through a Cinderella who held the maddening belief that this homeless carpenter was exactly who He said He was. I fell for her hard and then I fell for Him harder. New life came like being caught running in a rainstorm.

A few months after coming to know my Maker I found myself in Arizona, walking to class in flip-flops, studying in coffee shops, living in the most amazing community, and leading Young Life. Memories of beautiful evenings worshiping under the twilight, desert sky, learning Lindy Hop, loving on high school students and forming a language of presenting the person of Jesus Christ frame this chapter of life anew and divine brokenness.

Winter came. Lower enlisted in the United States Army. Medic training. Left-right-left-right. Calling cadence. 2-22nd Infantry Battalion. Lt. Colonel Michael Steele. Waiting, waiting, and more waiting. Bosnia. Afghanistan. Shining boots. No church home. Escaping to Lake Saranac. Worshiping in stairwells and harbor town hopping. God, how You protected me, how You fought for me, how You planned for me. Your glory and brilliance!

After an honorable discharge and a brief time with my family, I loaded up my truck and headed to Austin. The beauty of Texas seduced me with her curving landscape and blue bonnet breath, keeping me warm and gracing me with most restful nights. I fell back into leading Young Life, played the role of the entrepreneur, and soon found God check-mating me into seminary, the most unexpected gift. The Holy Spirit soon fell fresh on me with dreams, healings and hot hands.

And here I am, fully taken by my Savior’s advances, remaining peacefully in Him, quiet-still in His love and holy fire.