Pains...
So... after 24 hours of terrible birth pains my firstborn son, Joshua was born! What a relief! My wife, Debbie, was having a hard time advancing through the birth process so the doctors were afraid to give her an epidural. "You could be ready at any time, and we need to be able to go," they said. Josh just wouldn't come out. Actually, he couldn't come out. His little body was shifted to the side just enough so that every time Deb pushed, his little head was being pressed into her pelvic bone. Poor little guy had a major bruise on the side of his head!
When he was finally here, we were beyond tired. All of the breathing techniques and sleeplessness and off the chart contractions melted away. Little furry hands and feet were being caressed as I whispered in Joshua's ear, "I love you buddy! I'm your Daddy! I love you buddy! I'm so glad you're here now!"
Jesus told his disciples to firmly fix in their minds the reality of his death. The world was going to throw a party while they would be sobbing and mourning. They wouldn't be able to get around it. Life was going to be painful.
I've had my share of pains. You see, I'm what most people call a pastor. I simply prefer my name now. No titles please. But it's amazing how much hurt can get flung around in places where the kids are supposed to act and look like their Father. Ridiculous and ludicrous comes to mind. Sometimes there is hurt because of things that I've done. I regularly sin against God and other people. Then along comes sadness and even pain. But Jesus lets us know that sadness is like a baby being born. There will come a time when the pain and difficulty will be erased by a new birth. Joy comes.
So may we embrace God's work of grace in our lives. May we seek to understand His ways, but when we can't figure it out may we simply cling to Him. May we hope for the coming of joy and victory, mercy and grace! And when that moment comes may we celebrate with the greatest of celebrations, full of joy that no one can steal away!
Created over 2 years ago
