Two weeks ago, my wife gave birth to the most beautiful twins ever born in the history of the world! Kate and Bella came into this world in grand style…on the 4th of July, no less. Can you imagine the fun that I’m going to have with that over the years? They’ll be teenagers before they realize that all of those fireworks aren’t for their birthday! They’ll think that Dad went all out for their celebration…haha!
As you can imagine, the analogies and lessons that God has been teaching me through all of this have been amazing, and a little challenging at times. As I watched Michelle going through all kinds of changes, I had to ask myself if there were changes taking place in me due to the fact that I am pregnant with what God wants to give birth to through me? As I have been a part of Michelle’s pregnancy, I have noticed all of the changes that show up in women who are pregnant with children and people who are about to give birth to something that’s of the Lord!
The baby is kicking…
You’re getting uncomfortable…
Your clothes don’t fit like they used to…
You’re swelling in ways that you’re not used to…
Your walk has changed…
You cant sleep all the way through the night any more…
You can’t sit in the same place for long periods of time…
People look at you because of your condition…
Gifts are starting to arrive in preparation for what’s about to come…
There is some remodeling that is necessary…
Schedules are being rearranged…
Finances are being reconsidered.
Does any of that sound familiar? If it does, there may be something stirring deep inside of your spirit that God is wanting to give birth to!
At a recent doctor’s visit, I heard something that had deep and impacting implications for me as a man who is passionate about the harvest and about discipling leaders. As our doctor began to talk about inducing Michelle at the end of 37 weeks, she made a statement that I will never forget. She said that the reason they would need to induce is because the babies would be safer outside of the womb than inside. Wow! For 37 weeks, our babies have been protected, nurtured and living in the only environment that would provide the best chance of survival and life itself. They lacked for nothing; they were fed and cared for, totally dependent on a fetal life-support system. All of their nutrition, their immunity and life was the result of a completely dependent relationship.
What amazes me is that the very same environment that was a source of life can easily become a source of death without a successful transition or birthing. The womb of life runs the risk of becoming toxic and fatal unless the proper birthing at the right time takes place. It’s been said about a lot of things, but it is really true in birthing life…timing is everything!
The getting pregnant part is fun, being pregnant is exciting and it all comes together once the baby(s) is born. The tough stage lies between being pregnant and giving birth…it’s a lot of hard work (which is why it’s called labor), it’s messy and can be very frightening, especially for first-time moms! If you’ve been through this process either as a mom or dad, you learned pretty quickly that the entire process has been designed by God, and even though we definitely have a part to play, all of the elements are there for a successful birth if you will only pay attention and closely follow the rules.
It's fun to dream about what "could be" and all of the possibilities of doing life in the realm of the blessing and favor that comes along with obedience to the call of the Father. Stepping out in faith into the unknown is a really a scary thing! It may mean leaving the comfort of your present life and circumstance and it may mean giving up some sense of security and could possibly even mean being misunderstood. Bottom line is that it is a requirement in order for you to fulfill the call of God on your life. With our twins...we would not know the love, the joy and the excitement of their lives, if they (and us) had not been willing to go through that time of birthing and stepping out. Sure it's scary...but it's worth it all!
May I encourage you to consider your “pregnancy” and the birthing process that God wants to walk you through? What is in you that God is wanting to birth? What are the dreams that are inside of you? What is the passion that drives you, but you have not released? If you have come to maturity and fruition, it's time! Yes, it’s scary, and yes, it’s messy and yes, labor is difficult, but the joy of seeing the baby breathing on its own, and the child standing on it’s own two feet and eventually starting their own family is worth it all!
Not transitioning could eventually mean death, but stepping out in faith and confidence surely brings life and life abundantly!!
