16

Yesterday, I turned 16. And I don't think I've ever had such an encouraging birthday! 126 birthday wishes on facebook, plus a few emails, plus a million hugs, birthday wishes in person, and rounds of the "Happy Birthday" song.

But it made me think... and I've found 3 things.

1. Words are powerful.

All day, everywhere I went, people were encouraging me, building me up, congratulating me, praising me. And as much as I wish I didn't really care much for compliments...I was so encouraged!

So why don't I look for ways to do that to everybody, everyday? If I was so encouraged when people made my birthday special, why don't I make an effort to make everyone I talk to feel like it's their birthday?

2. Life is still short.

It's easy to feel on your birthday that you are invincible, that you will have countless more birthdays. But when I found out yesterday that my friend's mom, and a dear friend herself, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, I was reminded that just because I'm celebrating my 16th birthday doesn't mean that life got more promising or guaranteed or longer. Life is short. And I've decided that one of my primary goals for this next year is to learn to spend my time well, to use it wisely in light of Jesus coming back and heaven being just around the corner.

3. Even birthdays are about Jesus.

All my friends treated me especially nice all day. I got posts on my facebook wall that said, "You've made it this far!" As if this day were all about me and I was the one who got me through the first 16 years.

After a day of compliments, I went back to church to worship Jesus some more at re:Generation (a new young adults ministry at our church) and as we started singing about Jesus, Jesus, and more of Jesus. I started to realize that my heart didn't feel like singing about Jesus yet, because I was still thrilled with all the compliments I had been getting. I had gotten so caught up in my story that I forgot the main character of life's movie!

This is when I realized that if I haven't made even my birthday about Jesus, then it's a waste of a birthday, spent inviting people to worship me. My each and every day needs to be about Jesus, when I'm behind the scenes and when I'm in the spotlight.

All in all, I had a wonderful birthday. Thank you to all who made it so special and encouraged me to spend this next year striving to know Jesus more. I'm excited for what God has for me this next year, as I strive to build others up, spend my time wisely, and make every day about Jesus!