Having had two children of my own, I am quite familiar with the process of birth and how each stage in the process prepares you for the next.  As we all know, birth is very different from the pregnancy.  42 weeks of just anticipation gets long, slow and hopefully is not very action-packed (as this would indicate a problem).  The anticipation is joyful, and usually exciting but prenatal excitement cannot even compare to the excitement and momentum of the birth.

When a first-time mama inquires of other mamas asking, “How will I know when it is time?”, the other mamas usually reply with something like, “Oh, you’ll know!”  While a first-time mama may falsely diagnose certain symptoms as being signs of early labor, I would guess that most veterans would not, as there is little mistaking the real deal (provided there was no inducing their first time around).  It is true.  There is no way to describe it accurately to someone.  The pain, the energy, the vibe, the intensity– there are no words for it so trying to sum up that experience and instinct into words will only mislead someone or cause them to misinterpret their own experience.

Our church is in labor now.  I personally, in my ministry, am in labor now.  While I know that just like in physical birth, there are still stages and preparations for what is coming, I feel the momentum.  I feel the pain, the energy, the vibe, the intensity.  As it was when my boys were born, it is scary.  In my soul I know I was created to do this, I know I can handle it, but anticipating the intensity of the next stage is daunting.  Sometimes it makes me doubt– not in God but in myself.  Sometimes it makes me cringe and double over in pain because it takes every ounce of faith and stamina that I have to withstand it.  Sometimes it rejuvenates me!  It empowers my dreams and with every little sign of progress I know the reward is getting closer!

I think all mothers understand, better than anyone, why God uses birth as a metaphor for so many parts of our journey.  It is quite clear to me why He had Jesus be born from a woman rather than just appear on the scene as a man.  There is no more primal, desperate, beautiful and rewarding struggle than that of a mama giving birth.  Since the Bible isn’t very graphic or descriptive of the birth of Jesus, I think that it becomes the responsibility of the mamas to tell that part of Mary’s story, to use our own descriptions of the birth experience to convey what it must have been like.

The lesson to be learned from the birthing process is to trust it.  Pain is not a negative thing in birth.  Pain is the push.  Without the pain, your muscles in a normal state do not have the strength to follow through and push the baby out.  The pain, the contraction, is what pushes your body over that line to find the superhuman strength it needs to do what it has to do.

When God is doing something great, there will be pain.  The challenge is to trust Him, to trust the process.  I won’t get on this soapbox now, and I don’t mean to offend anyone but studies show that intervention and measures of convenience in labor lead to more problems than not.  There is no easy way if you want the satisfaction of knowing that you did it.  And, sometimes the easy way ends up being the most time consuming and dangerous way.  There is really nothing like that feeling when you push through and accomplish something through God-given strength that you truly labored over.

Here is a part of my birthing journal that I recorded right after my first son Lex was born.

I was fully aware and fully present at Lex’s birth.  It was a beautiful experience, learning about how life comes into the world, “always pain before a child is born” (U2), the rebirth of my own self.  I learned so much about myself and my strength.  I have “failed” at many other things in my life.  The fight to bring Lex into the world meant everything to me.  I genuinely wanted to do it no matter what the pain, no matter what it cost me– and I did it!  I know now that when I really want something badly enough, I can do it!

Jesus, thank you for being born.  Thank you that nothing comes easy with you, because that gives everything in Your Kingdom priceless value.  Help us to remember, as we journey along this path, that You have taught us that it will be well-worth the struggle.

2. a good day to watch White Christmas…again.  Wait, that’s everyday!

3. a day to reflect on more miraculous things God is doing in our church, even the things I can’t yet understand.  He is up to something!

4. another reminder that my family is definitely my favorite gift…plus, day 1 of 11 until I see the rest of my family for Christmas.

5. restful and peaceful, thanks to my amazing husband.  Love that guy.

I was in a conversation with some of our vC Worship team folks the other day about the possibilities of what can happen when we allow God to use us the way He wants to. It breaks my heart when I think of all the churches and ministries out there that don’t realize their fullest potential because they’re afraid to step outside of what has always been done. A lot has always been done, a lot of good but also a lot of just okay or no-longer-effective things have been done too. Sometimes in our Vertical staff meetings we can cook up some bizarre ideas. Crazy things that have never been done before. Once we sift through those ideas, ever so often it will start to become clear that we are on to something, that God is up to something that only He would think of. I love those moments. I love that our staff is crazy enough to be willing to try those ideas. Why? Why risk all our efforts for something that at first glance seems “out there”? Because I never want to stand in the way of that one key thing that opens the heart of the very ones God is trying to reach. God, if you can’t find someone who will use your idea, please use me. I’m willing.

I was recently in a conversation with a few people that I trust dearly.  I am blessed to be surrounded by some of the most talented, creative, intelligent and faithful men and women of God that you could ever know.  Want to meet them?  Come to vC!  They’re all there, I promise!  We have so much dynamite potential in our church it is ridiculous!  Anyway, as we sat there they were all sharing about times and situations in their life and ministry when a leader they were sent to serve undervalued their contribution.  In other words, other men or women that were called to lead them, either ignored their greatness and value or just exploited it as their own.  Been there, right?

Well, as I was thinking about this I was reminded of Jesus.  I was reminded of how many times he taught about the value of people.  You see, even though we are used to measuring our value in monetary terms, Jesus taught that the value is really found in people.

The Psalmist writes about it too, when describing the way God values humankind:

“You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor/ You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet” Ps. 8

I am convinced that it doesn’t matter how high someone manages to climb on the backs of others.  It doesn’t matter how far someone gets in their goals by using and abusing those around them.  Eventually it will crumble because God values people and when we don’t, we will not find reward or blessing.  We will find failure.  Never forget the hard work, sleepless nights or sweat that someone has poured out of themselves to serve the vision.  Always give honor and credit where honor and credit are due.  When we love and bless the ones God sends our way, we are truly following in the way of Jesus.