Some friendships that are just… different. Can’t quite explain it, but it’s kinda like this running analogy: when you go running alone, you can only go so fast. When running with a partner, you’re able to go a lot faster than you ever thought you could.

That’s John. He runs life at full speed, and paces those around him to push their limits and find the deeper sense of vision within them. When you’re with him, you’re reminded of the urgency of now — and it makes you want to get back on that path and #keeprunning. And through it all, he’s crazy and weird enough to understand me (which says a lot).

I love this guy like a brother. He’s a fighter. Someone who God had put in my life about 16 years ago in Kansas. When we were in high school, he’d meet me at 7am to give me tennis lessons. He saw me through my broken years of getting drunk and chasing girls– sometimes at the same time, which didn’t always turn out well. For a couple years, we went our own separate ways, staying in touch every now and then.

But one day, he reached out — inviting me to an event where he was sharing his testimony. That weekend would light a spark in me that helped me in my process of turning my life around. And it would be the beginning of a deeper camaraderie. He began running along beside me as I started to seek the Lord. His continual efforts to call out the destiny in my life and the life of others would be welcomed at times when I doubted myself and became restless. He would be one of my only friends to sit down with Jan and I when we started dating and really encourage me that I wasn’t crazy to marry her (which really meant the world to me). And his own faith journey and quest to know God deeply spurred me on to live radically for the Kingdom.

As Jan and I had the honor of attending John and Rachael’s wedding this weekend, it was a moment to pause and reflect on the journey we had taken to come to this point.  And it gives me joy to be reminded how God has orchestrated this unexpected friendship, so that we can continue to spur each other on to the calling He’s got on our lives. I know it’s God, because I didn’t do anything to deserve a friend like him. And I know it’s His calling, because how else could two unqualified and girl-crazy (mostly me) Kansas boys start stepping into these realms of the world, to claim territory for the Kingdom? We truly serve a miraculous God!

So I’m thankful to John for being a soul brother. One who gets my unconventional path in ways many others find quite perplexing, and even frustrating. One who never ceases to encourage and inspire others by his gift of leadership, and vision. One who’ll fight alongside you in the trenches. One who is relentlessly devoted to the vision to be and to build the Church — even in the darkest places. One who’s constantly full of life and laughter. One who has such a profound calling on his life to carry the light of Jesus into the marketplace.

So we praise God for the gift of friendship, and look forward to the journey ahead. John and Rachael, we are beyond excited to keep running this race with you — still spurring each other on from wherever the Lord may lead. #parksandrec2016 #edplusjohn #wedding #prayer #groomsmen #lettherebelight

 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV)