Many of us look forward to the arrival of the mailman. Apart from the inevitable bills, we look forward to an unexpected letter or even a gift. Recently I was delighted to receive a special birthday card.
I love to receive birthday cards. This love began when I was a young boy in England and I discovered I could write letters. A nice auntie visited me from Canada and would sing to me “It’s Springtime in the Rockies.” She asked me to write and let her know the date of my birthday. As a youngster would do, a few weeks before that special day, I wrote to her with the information she asked for. Much to my surprise, a few weeks later a special parcel arrived addressed to me containing a lovely card and the gift of a wallet. That practice continued through the years. I wrote a long letter and faithfully received back a birthday card and gift.
Recently another surprise arrived in the mailbox. My own ecclesial sister’s class sent me a birthday card commemorating the special day when I was “born again” — my spiritual birth. With this thoughtful remembrance came some sober thoughts. I would speak openly of my natural birth, but how often of my spiritual birthday? Sad to say I had trouble remembering the date. Surely this should not be, seeing it was one of the happiest and most important days of my life.
Such was not the case with the apostle Paul. He seized many opportunities to tell others about his spiritual birthday. Standing before Agrippa. he made sure the king and all in attendance knew of this important event. Acts 26:1-18. Again in Jerusalem he witnessed before the people, “The God of our fathers hath chosen me” Acts 22:14.
Should we not find pleasure in telling others of our baptism? Are we inclined to recollect the day when we entered the baptismal waters to rise as pure as the newly fallen snow? Do we view our baptism as a reminder of the day when the celebration of birthdays will yield to endless immortality? How many of us can remember the day of our baptism?
Truly we thank God for each year He permits us to live. Let us also praise and thank Him that we have been born again.. .by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Finally, thanks to those who helped me remember my spiritual birthday.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One