Reality Check

It felt like 3 little bubbles gently bursting on the inside.

Unexpected, soft, yet very obvious.

My baby's first kicks.

What a miracle! We'd had 3 ultrasounds done and could see each time how our little one was moving about in my womb - lively, active, discovering his own tiny hands and feet and sucking reflexes. Then suddenly, at about 20 weeks, this whole other world could finally be felt on the outside! I don't think there are many more wonder-filled moments than that.

Despite knowing about Baby's existence for a few months now, it is still something quite different and extremely special to feel it. It helps make the 'inner reality' more, well, real!

There's another reality that I sometimes forget the truth of. I'm reminded of it though when I read verses from the Bible like Romans 8:1 or  2 Corinthians 5:17. And that is the fact that I, like a baby in a womb, am IN CHRIST. 

Even though I haven't even met our child yet, there is already so much love within me and a bond that can't be described. This baby hasn't done anything to 'deserve' my love; it simply is. And is it any different with God? He loves us and has saved us 'not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy' (Titus 3:5). Grace isn't something we earn, and our identity as God's sons and daughters isn't dependent on us proving ourselves. 

Me being IN Christ means that I am safe, secure, loved, and provided for. HE is my source of life.

Yet this amazing reality has another aspect to it...

 Not only am I in Christ; He lives IN ME! Colossians 1:27 talks about the rich mystery of 'Christ in us, the hope of glory.'

We talk about this all the time when we mention 'inviting Jesus into your heart.' While not quite a full picture of what the Gospel is all about, this is a central and fundamental aspect. Our old and sinful selves are done away with when we surrender our lives to the Lord, and we are renewed as Christ takes up residence in us through his Spirit.

Romans 8:11 expresses this powerful reality: 'The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you...' The same Spirit, the same power, the same potential that Jesus had is IN ME! I can love, serve, make wise decisions, and move in power because of the Holy Spirit in me.

This reality isn't something weird or psychic, and I'm not saying that we, as believers, can 'become one with God.' God remains God, and we remain human. But that's exactly the miracle - we are transformed by His power and though we can't take any credit for it, He moves through us.

I've already had well-meaning strangers rub my belly, commenting on the life growing within me. I can't make the baby move, but I am a vessel through which the movements can be felt. In the same way, I am not the one who heals, encourages, or reveals, but these works of the Holy Spirit can be demonstrated through me and touch the lives of others (if I let them get close enough!)

It truly is a miracle. Knowing my identity in Christ allows me to rest and receive love, knowing all is grace. And being aware of His presence in me helps me live boldly, building His Kingdom here on earth, knowing all I have to do is obey, allowing Him to move through me. That is the hope of the world.

Like A Child

Small hands digging through a bowl of dusty flour and baking soda, searching for a few more chocolate chips in the batter.

Leaping from the 5th step into Auntie's unexpecting arms.

Using the only words he knows - 'da, da' - and pleading eyes to ask me to do up his jacket before heading outside.

What babysitting my 1 1/2 year old nephew taught me about having faith like a child. 

Playing with sudsy water dripping off the countertop after 'helping' with the dishes.

His face lit up with a smile when I complimented his scribbled picture.

Begging 'uhh! uhh!' with uplifted arms, wanting just to be held close.

Childlike faith.

Believing that my Father gives good gifts to His children, myself included.

Confidence that He'll catch me.

Unashamedly asking for help.

'Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.'

Knowing God doesn't really need my help, but He enjoys my presence anyways.

My righteousness, my best efforts, are but filthy rags, yet He smiles at me with pleasure.

The loving, welcome embrace of a Father who is ready to hold me when I come to Him.

When we learn to receive, to rest, to trust...we enter His kingdom. 

Image Credit: Indigo Crossing

Thinking Inside the Box

Passing rows upon rows upon rows of houses...

Some made of brick, others with stone.
Expensive ones, falling apart ones.
Small ones, big ones.
Dream houses, and just-to-get-by houses.

Have you ever thought about it? These box-looking-things lining roads, and the number of hours we spend in them?

"There's no place like home..."

And what makes a home?

I'm back in Ontario this week, missing my hubby, but enjoying celebrating with two precious friends from Bible school who are marrying two equally awesome men, and pondering the mystery of two lives becoming one, two hearts joining together, and new homes being created.

Oh, the joy! And oh, the pain. For some, the concept of "home" entails sweet memories of family time together, fun, games, sharing, love, encouragement and growth. But for others, the idea of going "home" is a fearful thought, connected to memories of abuse, damaged relationships, negative role models, or broken dreams.

What incredible potential is contained between the walls of these boxes along the streets. If only we could peek into the windows, if only the walls could speak. What would they say?

I'm learning that a culture doesn't just happen; it needs to be created. The statistics are appalling - people spending more and more time burying themselves alive in work; higher divorce rates; more school drop-outs; less families eating meals together.

Maybe it's time for us to start "thinking INSIDE the box." How can we better invest into our families? How can we create a culture of love and trust? What if we put a bit more effort into relationships with our loved ones, and a bit less focus on work (even ministry) or pleasing others?

Proverbs 3:33 says "The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous." The Lord's blessing is upon us, but it's up to us to put it into practice in our homes!