IT's my birthday today. I turn 23 years old. In the scheme of things I'm still young, but in the world that i exist in I feel so old. I'm in my last year of college, my 5th year at that, and that means i'm just a little old for all these young freshman coming in. At the other end i'm not old enough to be past this stage, i guess to move on to "the more mature point of life." I'm stuck here and unfortunately there are only a few people who are here with me.
This is the first time I think i've ever really thought that my birthday SUCKS. Looking back i can find landmark years and years that well were just there. I think this year should be a year that is just there, but so far it's turning into a landmark year. Approaching this birthday i've realized that the decisions i make this year are going to have a bigger effect than i originally thought.
Whats interesting is looking at my friends now. Some of them are married or getting married soon, some have graduated and moved about the country to start their careers, some have gone on to grad school, some have gone on to make it by, and some haven't changed a bit. I don't see where i fit into these categories. I think some would say that I'm doing well really make the best of these years, others I think say that i haven't changed. The question is where do i think i stand. Well honestly i don't know where I am in terms of my life at this point.
However, I know where i Stand with Christ. Isn't that more important than figuring out where i am in this earthly realm. Sadly though, Christ has me in a holding pattern, a pattern of suffering. C.S. Lewis says “We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ''Blessed are they that mourn." So am I recieving what was promised to me? I hope so, i hope that there is more to this situation than just being in a bad part of life. Paul goes on to tell me that I should rejoice, and press on towards Christ through the suffering.
1 Peter 4:12-19
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[a]
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
So thats what I shall do, press on and continue to do good with the promise joy from Christ.
Happy Birthday to ME!
