Photo by Dan Hadar
In recent years, my wife and I have been honoured to be invited to some of our friends’ milestone birthday celebrations—when they turned 60, 65, 70 or 75. Some of these were surprise parties planned by their spouses, while others were planned by the individuals themselves after some persuasion from their loved ones.
Many adults I know prefer to celebrate their birthdays quietly with a small group of family members or close friends, as they view large birthday parties as events for their elderly parents or young children. The planning and logistics involved in organising a party, along with our often introverted nature, can sometimes deter us from hosting one.
Nonetheless, when my wife, Sharon, and I turned 60, we decided to mark the milestone with a birthday bash. Here are several reasons why:
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, NIV). Life is meaningful and precious because of the relationships in our lives. No one on his or her deathbed would be talking about personal accomplishments. but many would likely think about the people who journeyed with them through life.
Sharon and I decided to use this milestone celebration as an opportunity to honour and appreciate the family members and friends whom God has blessed us with.
Beyond celebrating our milestone birthdays, we wanted to celebrate our life with God, who “…In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope…” (1 Peter 1:3, NIV). We took the opportunity during the celebration to testify to our guests about God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Through our testimonies, we gave God the glory He deserves.
As the psalmist reminds us, “Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2, NIV). Let our hearts overflow with gratitude as we celebrate His mercy, love, and unwavering presence in our lives.
“Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures” (Psalm 90:10a, NIV). Marking the milestone with a birthday celebration also prompted us to take stock of our lives as we pondered over the next season of our journey on earth. As Sharon and I thought about whether we should hold a big celebration when we turned 60 or wait until 70, it struck us that some of our friends and family members might no longer be around if we waited until our seventieth birthday. In fact, we could not even be sure that we ourselves would live until then!
Thus, we count our days with intention, for we do not know when our time is up. Whether we are turning 21 or 80, let us consider how to give life and meaning to our remaining days on earth. What new initiatives or unfinished tasks might God be stirring in our hearts? What closures do we need to make so that we can move on to the new season of life?
Blessings,
Lam Kok Hiang
Leadership Mentor
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