I’ve never cared much for special days. I’m glad we celebrate some good things on those days, but I wish most of them would go away. If I’m to be consistent, I have to apply the same standard to my birthday. I want to be careful saying that. I’ve gotten quite a few birthday wishes today and I don’t want to sound unappreciative. In fact I’m pleased and humbled to have so many. It’s good to be thought of, even if it’s mostly because Facebook won’t let you forget. This is not a landmark birthday, but it is a day to stop and think for a moment about where I have been, where I am, and where I want to go.

Actually I think I’ve done quite enough reflection about where I’ve been. I can only say again that I marvel at God’s mercy. He led me in the right direction even though I kept going the wrong way. As for where I am, I am more certain than I have been in a very long time that it is where God wants me to be. He called me to be a preacher. He made it happen.

Can I say that about every area of my life? I wish I were as certain of that, but does that uncertainty indicate a lack of trust that He is truly in control? If He led me to Bartimaeus Baptist Temple, did He not also provide for me in the job that I have? It provides for our needs. It allows me to take care of my wife and give to God’s work.

I took joy in preparing tomorrow’s sermon. I thought, “Is there any better way to spend my birthday than doing what He called me to do?” I’ll confess that’s not the way I’m thinking when I sit in this same chair on Monday morning. It should be. That job gives me the freedom to do the things I want to do. Until or unless He provides another way, I need to be thankful for it and approach it with the same level of dedication that I give to the things that seem more in line with what I imagine my mission in life to be.