The End of an Era — Rooted in Obedience
- Chántelle Adanna
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
On Friday, July 11th, I turned 30!
Can I just say… my 20s were a time.
It was a time.
It was a time.
Yes, I wrote that three times — once with a full stop and twice with ellipses — because that truly captures the last nine years of my life. Some moments felt definitive and matter-of-fact, while others are still unfolding, growing, and blossoming into the “what’s next” chapters.
Through it all, I am deeply thankful.
The enemy will try to find any door, any opening, especially when he knows there’s a calling over your life — but God!
He’ll plant seeds of doubt, comparison, confusion, chaos, and dissatisfaction… if you let him.
But here’s the truth: the blessing is in the breath I still draw and the heartbeat I still have — both through Jesus’ mercy. Everything else? That’s just fluff.
It’s hard to see it that way sometimes, living in a world that measures worth in material things and fleeting moments. But when you’re rooted in the Spirit of Truth — the Holy Spirit — you begin to see through the facade.
I’ve learned to believe that we should keep learning every single day until the Lord calls us home.
I’ve learned that repentance and humility before Him aren’t optional — they’re necessary.
I’ve learned that nothing and no one should be forced to stay in my life.
And I’ve learned that when you truly grasp the essence of life through Jesus Christ, you can’t help but be thankful — even in the sadness, the anger, the lows — because He keeps seeing you through.
In my 20s, I used to boast about having my “selfish years.” And to a degree, I still don’t think prioritizing myself was wrong — but where I missed the mark was not always grounding those choices in Christ.
Half the time, my decisions reflected Him. The other half? Not so much.
Society loves to tell us to “live your best life” in your 20s — to be free, to make all the mistakes, to throw caution to the wind because “you’re young.”
I get the sentiment. But now, I understand even more clearly why I didn’t cross certain lines. Because your 20s are not just for living. They’re for laying a foundation.
That foundation — mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically — shapes who you become. Sure, it can be rebuilt later, but let’s be real: the older we get, the more we cling to comfort, and the harder it becomes to change.
And often, what we normalize in our lives doesn’t reflect Christ’s character.
We forget that our lives aren’t just blessings for ourselves — but that we’re called, as Christians, to live abundantly and intentionally.
Looking back, I can say my life was good — but I can also say not every part of it was abundant. In fact, with the clarity I have now, I can see areas where generational patterns felt more like curses than blessings.
Breaking generational curses isn’t just about saying we did it — it’s about planting generational blessings and paying them forward.
It all starts with listening and obeying. Lessons I learned early on, even when I didn’t always follow through.
So here I am — aging like fine wine — knowing now more than ever that true growth can’t be bought, can’t be validated by accolades, and can’t be achieved alone.
Real growth is spiritual growth, through the Holy Spirit.
You can move, make money, achieve milestones — but if you reject the Spirit of Truth, you’re just going in circles.
Here's what my 20s taught me:
Here’s what my 20s taught me:
Drawing closer to Jesus often means losing people who resist truth.
Grace and gratitude are the core of life.
Be a lover of truth.
I don’t need to be “more” of anything to please people.
People-pleasing has never been — and will never be — my identity.
The most valuable people are anchors: they see me, correct me, encourage me, and hold me accountable.
I am not my skin, my emotions, my appearance, or my possessions.
I am not of this world — I belong to God.
I’m here to travel, connect deeply, and feel — so others know it’s okay to feel too.
You only need a few solid piercings (people close to your heart) — more just reject.
Let it go.
The opinions you weighted heavily will flatten over time.
Friends you thought were forever were just for a season — and that’s okay.
The right man won’t need to be chased.
Everything is spiritual — at all times, you’re worshipping either God or a god.
Things run deeper than they appear — lean in.
My parents are human; they did the best they could.
The enemy hides where you least expect — often looking helpful, kind, even attractive.
“Good intentions” don’t equal godliness.
Reading my Bible with understanding would’ve saved me so much heartache.
If I did it before, I can do it again — and better.
My success is tied to the success of others.
Truth doesn’t need agreement — it just is.
Self-reflection, prayer, Bible study, and fruitful conversations are invaluable.
The things and people I idolized mean nothing now.
Listen to understand — not just to reply.
My attention span needs more of my attention.
Perfection is an illusion.
Many live in deep delusion.
People can only meet me as deeply as they’ve met themselves.
Notice, note, and move on.
Stay forgiving. Stay repentant. Lay down pride.
Close every door God didn’t open — no matter what.
Self-sufficiency matters.
Calendars and reminders are essential.
There’s divine character-building in the wait.
Consistency and discipline are security.
Here’s to a new decade — of obedience, lessons learned, gratitude, and generational blessings.
Love you. Talk soon. ❤️
I'm thankful for it all.
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