by Anna Haiar

The Gift of Living

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10 (English Standard Version)

December through May are filled with lots of birthdays in our family. These special days have a way of making us pause. Whether you love them or quietly try to ignore them, birthdays invite reflection. Another year has passed, full of moments we’re proud of, moments we wish we could redo, and a whole lot in between. It’s easy to measure our lives by what we’ve accomplished by now. Did I get where I thought I would be? Am I further behind than I hoped? But Scripture gently shifts our perspective.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10 (English Standard Version)

You are not a project running behind schedule. You are not defined by a timeline you feel pressured to meet. You are God’s workmanship, crafted with intention, care, and purpose. A birthday isn’t just a marker of age; it’s a reminder that God is still writing your story.

Some years feel like growth. Others feel like survival. Some are filled with clarity, while others leave us wondering what God is doing. But none of them are wasted. Not a single year falls outside His hands. Think about that: the same God who created you has also prepared the path ahead of you. Even the parts you can’t yet see! So instead of asking, “Am I where I should be by now?” maybe the better question is, “Am I walking with Him today?” Because that’s where life is found: not in hitting milestones, but in staying close to the One who gave you life in the first place.

This year, wherever you find yourself, whether celebrating, grieving, hoping, or just quietly getting through, know this: you are still held, still known, and still deeply loved. That alone makes this next year a gift.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.