One Step Closer to You

Today is Nathan's birthday. He is 33 years old. I kept telling him how marvelous it is to be 33, but I don't think he believed me until today. Just kidding! The Italians believe that there is something special about turning 33. They refer to it as the Anno de Cristo, the Year of the Christ. According to folk tradition this is a year reserved for revelation, being Christ's age at his death. For us and many other unworthy individuals, revelation is already present with the understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But there is always room for deeper understanding. Who knows? Maybe Christ will pour out more grace on us this year :-)

For me, birthdays are wonderful, for the sole reason that they bring us one step closer (from the physical perspective) to being with the Lord forever. And there is something precious about that step! It is a step of faith in many ways, to take it eagerly (like children! :-)). To run toward death, eagerly embracing that which has already occurred (see scriptures below) is to bring a smile to the face of our Lord, for without faith it is impossible to please Him. And pleasing Him must be our goal, or really, what's the point?

"We are buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4

"For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God" - Col. 3:3

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." - Heb. 11:6