Where There’s Blayze

I recently turned 30.

Now, for some that’s just another birthday. But for me, it felt like I’d crossed some invisible line into official adulthood. I can no longer say, “I’m in my twenties,” with that faint air of youthful coolness. It’s over. Done. I’m now someone who groans when getting off the sofa and has opinions about property boundaries and how kids today have no respect for gardens.

But turning 30 also made me reflect. It made me look back, not just on my age, but on who I was.

I often look at old pictures and think, “Who is that guy?” My 17-year-old self, with dodgy hair choices and questionable school reports, seems like a different person entirely. If you had told him that by 30 he’d have a theology degree, a Master’s, be ordained, have a wife, three kids, and have run a marathon, he’d have laughed in your face.

A Poor Example of the Father

You see, I wasn’t exactly what you’d call a model student. I got kicked out of science for melting pens on a Bunsen burner. I used to lose games with my friend where the punishment was having to ask the teacher for a new pen after throwing yours out the window.

There was one moment I’ll never forget. My geography teacher had clearly had enough. I’d let my friend tie my jumper to the desk as part of a dare (long story), and when she came to check why I wasn’t doing any work, I said: “My hands are tied.” She walked away. Later she threatened me with detention, on the same day my dad was coming to pick me up.

Now, my dad is a teacher. The thought of my teacher walking me out to him, detailing my nonsense? That was the fear of God. And I’ll never forget what he said to me in the car: “Your actions reflect on me. When you act like that, people assume that’s what kind of father I am.”

Representing the Father

That stuck with me. And it came flooding back when I read this passage from John 14:23–24 (ESV):

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”

That’s a challenging word from Jesus. He’s saying that how we live—how we keep His commands, is a direct reflection of whether or not we love Him.

We’re not just individual believers. We’re ambassadors. As Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.”

Ambassadors represent the place they come from. They’re not just citizens, they’re the face of their homeland. And when people see us, they should get a glimpse of heaven. They should see Jesus.

A Faith That Looks Different

So what does it mean to be an ambassador? It means we don’t blend in.

It means our lives are distinct. Not strange for the sake of being strange, but different because we live by a different set of values. A different King. If our faith is indistinguishable from the surrounding culture, it’s worth asking: what are we really following?

Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

It’s not a guilt trip, it’s a relationship. Just like if your dad left you a book full of love, wisdom, and instruction, wouldn’t you want to read it? Wouldn’t you treasure it?

So when we ignore the Bible or live as though it doesn’t matter, it says something about the state of our hearts. And when we live out Jesus’ words with love, humility, and courage, we give the world a living testimony.

Jesus told His disciples:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Love is the mark of authenticity. Not just agreement with doctrine, but lives transformed by grace. People are watching us, and what they see matters.

A Culture That’s Waking Up

Here’s the encouraging part. Despite what you might hear in the media, Christianity isn’t dead in the UK. In fact, it’s quietly growing, especially among young people.

Some stats to think about:

• Monthly church attendance among 18–24-year-olds in England and Wales has quadrupled—from 4% in 2018 to 16% in 2024.
• Bible sales in the UK have nearly doubled, from £2.69 million in 2019 to over £5 million in 2024.
• 62% of Gen Z in the UK now describe themselves as “very” or “fairly” spiritual.
• And when it comes to generosity, young Christians (18–24) are giving the highest proportion of their income, around 11%—with 80% giving regularly to their church.

People are hungry for something real. They’re tired of shallow answers, tired of noise, tired of performative faith. They want the real Jesus. And we get to show Him.

Living as Witnesses

So the question is this: what are we showing them?

Are we, like I was in school, giving a poor representation of the Father? Or are we letting our lives reflect the one who saved us?

We’re not called to be perfect. We’re called to be faithful.

We’re not called to have all the answers. We’re called to walk in love and truth.

And we’re not left to do this alone.

Jesus doesn’t just command us, He equips us. He promises the Holy Spirit:

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

We are not abandoned. We are empowered.

We’re not just given a mission, we’re given a Helper to live it out.

The very Spirit of God lives in us to guide, strengthen, correct, and encourage.

Final Thoughts

People are searching. There’s a hunger for truth, love, and meaning.

And in the midst of this spiritual hunger, Jesus calls us to be ambassadors.

So let’s take it seriously.

Let’s live differently, not just for our sake, but for theirs.

Let’s keep His word, not out of fear, but because we love Him.

Let’s represent Him well, not perfectly, but authentically.

Because the world is watching.

And Jesus is worth representing.