On the outside, Colton Burpo looks like your typical 20-something skilled tradesman, but on the inside lives a divinely inspired soul for Jesus that has visited a place from which very few have returned to tell their story. That place is called heaven.

If you’re not familiar with the book, Heaven is for Real is written by Colton’s father, Todd Burpo, about Colton’s literal visit to heaven when he was 3 years old. At the time, Colton had a burst appendix, was rushed into emergency surgery and had a near death experience. The book recounts the details of Colton’s experience and how Todd, a pastor, processed what happened and renewed his faith. (If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend you do – it’s so worth it!)

Colton’s life looks a lot different now than it did when the book came out in 2010. Although he still does occasional interviews, he spends his days working as an electrician in Colorado and his spare time adventuring in the wilderness and helping out with worship at his church.

But over the years, his main purpose in life has remained unchanged – to be a light for Jesus.

“I want to be someone that people can look to and be able to see – that guy walks with God,” Colton said during a recent interview on the Ordinary Discussions podcast. “And not because of an amazing experience I had when I was 3 – that was awesome – but that doesn’t take away from the fact of the man I’m becoming or who God is making me into. That’s an important part of me, but that’s not all I am.”

When he first became an adult, Colton struggled to figure out what God’s will was for his future. He pursued Bible college and planned to become a worship pastor – a natural choice, considering his background. But the more he tried to fit himself into this “mold” he thought he should be in, the more God kept flipping the script on him.

“This past year has been crazy,” he said in an Instagram post on his 21st birthday in 2020. “God has been leading me in a direction that I didn’t plan for. He’s closed doors in some areas while opening new ones for my new season. I’m grateful for those who have been pouring into me and helping me on this journey of becoming a mighty man of God.”

Little by little, God lined up Colton’s path – first through a summer job on a golf course and then working for an electrical contractor. He found that he enjoyed doing hands-on work and solving daily challenges while doing a variety of tasks.

Beyond the work itself, though, he found that he could still use the platform God had given him as a skilled tradesman to be a light for Jesus too. He compares it to the Apostle Paul’s work as a tentmaker, which he undoubtedly used as a means to reach others for the Kingdom of God.

“We have been placed in special places by God. Not all of us have to be in ministry. We don’t have to be on a stage, preaching at Crusades. We could be at a job. We could be a teacher. But because we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we are able to be a light in very dark places. As long as you are available and willing to just serve God and ask, ‘How can I honor God? How can I help people?’ – that’s a mindset that really helps you live a blessed life.”

– Colton Burpo

While life is much quieter and simpler for Colton these days, Colton feels more driven and fulfilled than ever, both at work and in his personal life. He married his wife, Pearl, in 2022, and they enjoy adventuring together and serving at church.

My takeaway from Colton’s story? I see it as proof that God’s plan is always the best plan. Our limited human mind can often only think inside the box, but God knows no limits. Just as Philippians 4:13 says, “With God, anything is possible.”

We just have to trust him to lead us into his will and be willing to walk through the doors he opens for us in his timing. It’s easy to say, but much harder to do. But as Colton would tell you, it’s definitely worth it.