When it has come to writing blogs on the days of my friends, I have written a blog to honor them. Today, I am in a unique situation. I am the one with the birthday and I do not wish to write something all about me. I like to hear compliments, though I’m quite shy of them at times. Still, I can write about something on this day and that’s the celebration of existence.
I think that’s the reason I celebrate birthdays. We hear talk about how this is so self-centered and I know the JWs actively go against birthdays, but I don’t see it. I don’t think there’s anything wrong in being thankful for your own existence. I am celebrating 27 years on this Earth today and I am thankful for that.
I thought about existence some today in between the visits and phone calls I got. I consider it a marvel that we exist. Of course, I consider it a marvel that God exists, but his existence is different. When we think about God and his attributes, they exist necessarily. God has to exist and all that is in his nature must then exist.
However, “I exist” uttered from me is not a necessarily true statement. Now I know that I have to exist to say the statement and I could never say “I don’t exist” and have that statement be true. However, the concept behind the statement is not a necessary truth. My non-existence is possible.
That just marvels me. I didn’t have to be, yet God chose to have me be. I can only think that there’s something about each of us that he loves. I am not a Calvinist. I do believe God does desire all people to be saved and I do believe we are all loved by God in some way. Have I worked it out entirely? No. This is where I’m at now though.
I can only then look at my existence as grace and especially my being included in God’s salvation as grace. God was just fine by himself before any of the human race came along. The fellowship of the Trinity was more than enough for him. He didn’t need any of us, but I believe we were created because such is the nature of love. Love desires to go beyond itself.
In fact, we could say most of us are here for that reason. Two people had a connection with each other and because of that, each of us came into being. Unfortunately, in our world, it seems that the love aspect is being there less and less. Flings with kids on prom nights and even sometimes now rape. Not every kid is born in love in this world, and that’s a sad state of affairs the church needs to address.
I am thankful that I was. I don’t think it downplays those who weren’t. It is not an insult to them to be thankful for what I have. I do not lower the blind man by being thankful that I can see. It is simply the recognition of what I’ve been blessed with and it does not honor God to not celebrate that which he has blessed me with.
I am extremely thankful for my friends and family today. Every phone call and email and instant message was great. The forum where I post was especially friendly to me. It’s a neat thing when you realize it personally. All of these people are essentially saying “Thank you for being alive. The world is a better place because of you.”
Sometimes, I think we fear such things will make our egos too big. Maybe it does for some people. I find myself in utter humility though each time. I am one who worries about having too big an ego, but I find the more good I hear, it seems the more humble and thankful I become. Perchance someone skilled in matters of the soul can explain that, but I can’t at this point. Of course, that gives me something new to ponder on which I will enjoy.
Tonight, I thank God then for my existence. I have been on here for 27 years. They haven’t all been great. There have been some hard times. At the end of the day though, I need to realize that every good and gracious gift comes from God. That includes the life he has given me. Thank you Lord for the time I have had. May I use it more to serve you.
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