I had the privilege of being asked to be a part of the birth of my newest grandchild a little over a week ago. This was the fourth birth I have had the honor of being a part of as a spectator per se, and it never loses it's wonder. That moment of seeing that child being ushered into this world by that doctor is an amazing one. It's like we all hold our breathe, and then there she is! All that time of preparation and growth in mama's tummy and then, behold this beautiful baby. All the pain and pressure and pushing and then this! A glorious example of God's workmanship. After all, He says He knew us while we were yet in the womb. And while we would like to take credit for creating that little bundle of joy, it was God who breathed life into the process. Who took a physical act and turned it into an embryo that became a person with a body, mind, soul and spirit.
As I looked with amazement at this new member of our family I wondered at how it all 'felt'. That rush into the light. The cacophony of sound a barrage on those tiny perfect ears. To feel the air on her face, to experience the temperature changes. What an extreme change, what a moment of perplexity, but also what a marvel. All that time incubating to prepare her for just this moment. Her grand entrance into a new world, into a new life.
As I pondered all these things about this beautiful birth process I also started to ponder about another birth. That birth into the Kingdom of God, that spiritual birth. Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter 3 that a person must be born from above. Nicodemus looked at Him in astonishment and said how is a man to be born again? He did not understand that he must be reborn into the spirit. Reborn as a child of God.
I remember when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. There was this time when my heart was being prepared. There were small changes occurring that were preparing me for that big change. Looking back I can see that God was moving behind the scenes. Bringing new people into my life. Softening my heart. Causing me to question things in my life. Preparation and growth. Then came the pressure and the pushing and yes, even some pain. It often takes pain to make us change. I was stubborn and set in my ways. I wanted what I wanted and didn't care about the people I hurt to get it. I look back and that truly is a different person. I have shared some of my past in other previous posts. I was not a 'good' person, I don't even think I was that nice. I was out for myself and that was it. But when that rebirth came, oh what a change. No, it was not overnight, but it did happen. The things of the old life fell off. The drinking, the drugs, the promiscuity. The lies, the apathy, the disregard for others.
I came out of that dark place literally into His marvelous light. That rush into light; that cacophony of sound! Unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The warmth of His love enveloping me. What an extreme change, how perplexing, but what a marvel! The light of God shining on me. It showed me both the good and the bad. The sound of the voice of His Spirit speaking to me, "walk this way". "Do these things, let go of those things." The temperature in my heart changed from cold to burning with His love. Thinking of this birth brings tears to my eyes just as does the birth of my children, my grandchildren. A new life. A testimony of His love and His life. What a glorious thing.
But. oh I cannot wait for one more 'birth' so to speak. That final birth into His heavenly realm. That crossing of the threshold from life into death into life again. All the preparation and growth, all the pressure, the pain and then that final push. Entering into a light so magnificent, so dazzling it will overwhelm us. Entering into world of sound so melodic, so beautiful words won't be able to express them. Entering into the warmth of His presence, what can compare?
So as I ponder the birth of my newest grandbaby, of all my grandbabies I marvel at how great God is. That He brings new life, new hope into our lives. He truly is the great Physician, ushering us into not only a new life as we receive Jesus as Lord, but into that new life in heaven with Him. And just as we rejoiced over the birth of that baby, our loved ones who have gone before us will rejoice as we enter into the fulfillment of His promise of new life in Him. What a change, what a marvel.