Anyone
who tells you that childbirth is easy is lying. This person is not your friend,
and you should run…run away as fast as possible 😊
The
reality is, birth is likely the hardest task a woman will ever undertake in her
life. Pregnancy and birth is the culmination of “giving up” of self – of one’s
physical appearance and body image, of one’s normal bodily functions, of one’s
time and freedom, but most of all…of one’s heart and soul.
As a mother prepares for the
arrival of her child, she passes through many levels of self-sacrifice. There
are the countless hours spent nursing nausea and fatigue. The constant press on
your body to provide; not only for your life and sustenance, but that of the
other human being growing within you. You provide every ounce of nourishment,
protection, shelter, and comfort this tiny person needs as he/she does the work
of growing and developing. It is truly a team effort – mother and baby working
together; bodies in harmony, to prepare for the “coming forth”, or birth that
will come to pass.
The birthing process itself is
fraught with trial, and any woman who has passed through the curtains of each
birthing stage can attest to its arduous journey. But on the other side of that
mountain, insurmountable but for the grace of God given to protect and preserve
the woman and the child she issues forth, there is unfathomable joy. Peace that
truly passes any understanding. And a love – born through months of communion
and harmony, that exists within the furtive glances passing from mother to
newborn babe.
In a similar way, God longs to
birth in us the desires that He rooted in our hearts. These dreams and visions
that were placed within the womb of our soul and spirit, that have been
nurtured and fed by various life experience and God’s providential placement in
our lives.
We are preparing to step into
the season of celebration…the celebration of the “coming forth”, or the birth
of our Savior. His coming to earth as the apostle John states in John 1, “In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God…and
the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as
the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Jesus…the Messiah…the WORD
who Was, and Is, and Is to Come…CAME.
He came and dwelt among us, taking on
our flesh, becoming one of us, so that He could ransom us back to Himself.
We have a reason to celebrate!
Bigger than the packages and ribbons. Bigger than the parties and the
festivity. Bigger than the family gatherings and moments spent together. All of
these things are awesome, and I believe that God delights in them, because He
is glorified. He is glorified when we give. He is glorified when we love one
another. When we share. When we reach out. When we become His hands and feet.
He receives pleasure and praise in these moments.
But there is something
more…there is a reminder of birth.
There is a freshness in this season. Why
else would it be referred to as the “season of hope”. No other time of year is
quite like Christmas. There is an air of expectancy. Of magic. Of miracles. Of
love, joy, and peace on earth. It is a season for new beginnings, and I believe
it is a season of birthing.
There is something God is
birthing in you. Something that has been consummated in the quiet moments spent
with Him alone. Something that He planted in your heart…perhaps days, weeks,
months, or even years ago.
But He is getting ready…the birth is coming! Your purpose…your ministry - His
place for you in the body is about to be brought forth!
And while the birthing process
may be painful and tumultuous, it will be worth it. You may be stripped of
things. You may be shaken to your core. You may be ripped from the womb of one
path and plan, and laid gently into the arms of the mission you are meant to
carry out.
Remember…after the pain and toil
comes the peace. The moments of sheer joy and exhilaration of what lies ahead.
The promise for new life and better days. The seasons of fruit-bearing and
plenty. But these seasons don’t come without the toil of labor.
The work proceeds the witness
of the promise. Are you ready?
Are you in a place to submit
yourself to the birthing process…to see what God longs to bring forth from your
life? There are people in this world that you are meant for…and you cannot
reach them until you come forth into your calling, birthed into your ministry.
So, in this season of
celebration…as you share, give, and love…remember the Word who came for YOU.
Remember His promise to you…and His longing to bring you into all that He has
planned for your life.
Blessings!
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