July 30, 2009
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Impending Labor
Someone was wearing a shirt yesterday that had Jn 12:24 on it, and it reminded me of the truth I can cling to for the pains of the impending labor. It’s inevitable, this labor that will come! But it’s my Lord and Master Jesus who tells me that “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Do I want my life to be self-contained? Will my final breath be the end of me – or will my life give way to more life? It was because Jesus CHOSE to give Himself up that millions and billions have the life that is truly life. If He had not suffered and died (and came back to life), I would not have life. Though I have no real “choice” at this point (for the giving up of my body happened about 9 months ago), and this death of my “self” is impending, there’s still this need to choose in my heart to die. I must choose to imitate Him because that is how I will take hold of this “life” more firmly, more surely, more fully, more deeply.
Lord, teach me (show me, give me the strength and ability) to die so that another might live. Continue to show me in labor, as you have through this pregnancy, and then with this given pattern, help me to continue on in this way of sacrifice and self-giving for all the days of my life. Help me, Lord, to not focus on “death” and dying but to fix my gaze on the Life and the fullness of Joy which stems from this life that You bring.
