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ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS

Writer's picture: Olufunmilayo AdekusibeOlufunmilayo Adekusibe

 

Today’s Readings:

Isaiah 49:1-6

Psalm 139:1-3,13-15

Acts 13:22-26

Luke 1:57-66,80

 

I don’t like cakes. The milk in them causes my stomach to bloat. So, when birthdays come around and most people are excited for me, I am usually apprehensive, because I don’t want anyone to mention cake. I have since distanced birthday cakes from my understanding of birthdays. But I still celebrate birthdays with a deeper understanding, one that the birth of John the Baptist brings to light.


The celebration of the birth of John the Baptist occurs 6 months before Christmas. John the Baptist was the last prophet who pointed the Jews to the imminent coming of the Messiah and herein lies his importance. Paul quotes him in as saying, “I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal” (Acts 13:25). He was a special child, the spawn of two old but devout Jews. His name “John” means “God is gracious”. God is indeed gracious to bless a childless couple with a son. God displays his graciousness in every human person who was ever created including you. How then should you see yourself?


The world will reap the full benefits of God’s graciousness when you discover the reason God created you. The prophet Isaiah gives us a key:

  • God called you before you were born.

  • He pronounced your name when you were conceived.

  • He made you a sharp sword (you are dangerous and the devil knows it).

  • He filled you with grace (divine gifts) so that your life will glorify Him.

  • He made you a vessel for honour (your body is God’s temple).

  • He sends you as a messenger to call others into His kingdom.

  • He made you a light in your family and to your peers (do not spread darkness).

  • You live to make God known (anything else will only lead to sadness and frustration).


A lot of people never fulfil their God-given purpose because they are chasing other people’s expectations of them. It is possible to be wealthy and still lack purpose. They have conquered the earth only to drown themselves in a search of a lost ship. Our purpose is to touch the lives of our fellow humans positively, point others to Christ and march onwards to heaven in the company of all the saints. So, we celebrate John the Baptist, remember to be grateful that you have a unique place in the world, to make a positive difference with your life.

JUDE-MARY OWOH


 

Prayer:

  1. Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

  2. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretches out the heavens like a curtain.

  3. Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me with my unique gifts and abilities. I rededicate myself and all that I have to you.

  4. Use me for Your mighty purposes.

  5. May I never regret my decision to serve you through Christ our Lord.

  6. O Lord, by Your power and Your mercy, repair, deliver, heal and transform Christian marriages at the verge of collapse, in Jesus name .

  7. O Lord, by Your mighty power, love and mercy, mend the broken parts of the body of Christ, in Jesus name.

  8. O Lord, grant that Your Gospel of Truth may be preached to all the ends of the world, in Jesus name.

  9. O Lord have mercy, by Your mighty power align our nation into Your plan for this season, in Jesus name. Amen.

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