A few years ago, our family was watching an old home video that had 5-year-old John in it. My jaw dropped when I saw how energetic I was. I immediately apologized to my parents and began to look up old teachers' phone numbers so I could beg forgiveness for what I must have put them through. Then I saw something on that home video I will never forget.

I had gone off camera (probably to break, jump on, eat, incinerate, or annoy something or someone) and my father knelt down in the middle of the room, spread is arms out and called my name. Whatever clammer I was making in the background stopped, and there was a moment of silence. The next sound was a combination of footsteps and a dull yell that grew louder and louder, as if a train or an ambulance was approaching. Finally I flew into the scene running 75 mph, my yell now reaching levels of “pure joy,” and exploded into my dad's arms with a climactic hug-tackle that Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens would have been proud of as embracing, rolling around, and laughing ensued.

I'll never forget that feeling. Not because I remember exactly what it felt like, but because I experience it everyday.

There are times when life itself is difficult, but God makes those times wonderful. I have found that God never tells me to “go,” but instead says “come with me.” He does not say, “believe in this crazy thing,” but instead says “let me show you something awesome.” God does not push us out of the nest; He takes us flying with Him. People say that God will push you out of your comfort zone to make you better. Maybe, but when I hear God's voice, it automatically gives me comfort, passion, and power.

In the past years, as I have grown to learn God's nature and hear his voice, there has never been a difficulty in my life when I didn't feel like a 5 year old: running and yelling joyfully into the arms of my daddy.

"I know that I can defeat the devil by ignoring him, retreating into my spirit and just doing business with God." -Graham Cooke