It's My Birthday!

John 3:6-7
"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'"

Today is my birthday!  I'm sixty-one-years-young, and so thankful for this amazing life with which the Lord has blessed me.

From the moment I find out that my children and grandchildren will be able to attend an early celebration on Sunday, I decide to go all out with festive decorations.

I even splurge for these candles.

I justify this move because I can reuse these for Virginia's and Alexandra's upcoming birthday in July when the former will turn six and the latter, one.  And all the other finery?  Purchased for a song at our local Dollar Tree (Yes, I'm a Dave Ramsey/Clark Howard aficionado!).

But the main reasons I resolve to showcase all these party frills are 1) I know Virginia Rose and Savannah Jane will love them, especially the party horns and balloons, and 2) everyone's life, a gift from God, is worthy of an all-out revelry.

Oh, what fun we have!

Yet as important as it is to commemorate our physical arrival into this world, there is a birth much more crucial, and one held before us as an open invitation by Christ Jesus.

And that is to be born again.  A concept that eluded the wise and seeking Nicodemus, who visited Jesus in the dark of night in order to glean wisdom from the Word.  Yet he was confounded by the answer given.

It is a concept that mystified me, too, for many years until I heard, felt and finally understood the call of Jesus.  Heard Him knocking at the door of my heart.  Willing me to unlock and open.

I, at long last, obeyed.  And my life was changed.  It is still changing.

Because the Lord is not about the status quo; He is about the status quested.

And I'm trusting in Him to guide me and hold me, born again and grateful, through all the years before me.

Sixty-two?  Sixty-three?  Beyond?  Yes, by God's grace!

I say, "It's my birthday!"

Thanks be to God!

~

Have you been born again?

Prayer:  Father, let us celebrate and give thanks for every life You have allowed to come into this uncertain and fragile world loved by You.  We pray that all will be born again into Your life and Your Spirit, for that is the life everlasting.  It is in Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.