Are you one of those weird people who doesn’t like their birthday? Well, I can admit that I was that person this year. A week ago, I turned 22 years old. Normally, the closely approaching date of February 6th would give me an unusual buzz of excitement and a little extra pep in my step. This year, though, felt different. This year, it seemed as though the approaching date of February 6th brought with it more dread than excitement and more gloom than “pep.”
While I don’t listen to many of her songs, Taylor Swift described the feeling of 22 relatably: “We’re happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.” I try not to tie myself too closely to those lyrics, but I’ll admit that this year, I felt they rang more true than ever. The anxiety of change, fear of the future, and stress in school left me feeling apathetic about my upcoming birthday. I told my friends I didn’t want to do much because, well, what did I have to celebrate?
This thought process, clearly, was neither helpful nor true. I knew that God didn’t want me to think about my life so negatively. I knew that I should be more grateful and try to stay positive. It felt difficult to escape these feelings, though, because I just didn’t see the value in this specific day. My birthday did not matter.
The truth is, your “February 6th” doesn’t actually matter. There is only one birthday that actually matters in this life. I’m sure you can guess that I’m not talking about the actual day you were born. The important birthday is actually the day you chose to enter a different world, a different life.
Perhaps it was a specific night, weekend, or even a collection of moments that led you to Jesus and to new life. Perhaps you experienced a dramatic, 180-degree turn into salvation. Perhaps you grew up in a Christian family and over time came to be a disciple of Jesus on your own. Whatever the case may be, Jesus tells us clearly that we must be born again. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says that “anyone who is in Christ is a new creation; the old has passed away and the new has come. ” Jesus is the reason we live now.
After my birthday, I faced a reality check. I had so many blessings in my life: friends, family, food, clothes, a car, and education. Of course I could appreciate these things, but I had to realize that even without them, there would still be reason to celebrate. Even without these things, I have the richest gift in the world: an eternal relationship with my Creator. It took some intention to remember that Jesus has given me a new life for a purpose. My favorite reminder comes from Ephesians 2:10, which states that “we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus for the good works he planned for us long ago.”
So, are you still one of those weird people who doesn’t like their birthday? If so, that’s okay. It’s a great date to celebrate because it’s proof that God created you to be here. However, we should truly celebrate every day we’re here. Not because we’re just sooo amazing, but because Jesus gifted us this new life! God created us for good works that He planned long ago. I don’t know about you, but to me that’s more than enough reason to celebrate.
Lord, thank you for giving me new life. Thank you for the many blessings in my life, but mostly for the purposes you’ve created me for. Help me everyday to celebrate Your kindness and mercy. Take me back to remembering the goodness of your salvation and the gift of being born again.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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