I would guess that at least, um, I don't know, 100 times a day in the last week I prayed this prayer, "Lord, please let little Annie be born today, my wife is so uncomfortable and I want her to be comforted!"
Then last night, I thought my prayers would be answered when we were awakened on the hour with some major contractions. I took the class and know my job and the questions I'm supposed to ask, "Can you talk through them? How far apart? Did you feel a gushing feeling? Is it sharp or dull? Is it sustained or did the baby just move? Can I get you something?"
But then... the contractions stopped. And she slept the rest of the night and we woke up this morning with no baby, and no signs that she is coming as quickly as we thought she was going to be coming last night.
Discouraged? Me? No!!! I'm supposed to trust the Lord and soak in this expectation and hope that the baby stays in her even past due date right?! (ya, right) No, I was discouraged because I was so ready to jump up and carry my wife down two flights of stairs to the car in the middle of the night so that we can see the grace of God in action when my baby comes into this world!
My wife, who is way smarter than I and in tune so amazingly with the heart of God, casually reminded me of this passage the other day Romans 8:18-25
- 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time nare not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for othe revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation pwas subjected to futility, not willingly, but qbecause of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that rthe creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that sthe whole creation thas been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have uthe firstfruits of the Spirit, vgroan inwardly as wwe wait eagerly for adoption as sons, xthe redemption of our bodies. 24 For yin this hope we were saved. Now zhope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, weawait for it with patience.
My friends, God is teaching me a lesson in patience. I would like to think that I live expectantly for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, however, I have prayed for and longed more for the coming of my child than for my savior in the last week. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to hold my baby in my arms. I think though, that through this the Lord is teaching me through His word that the christian life models the ultimate pregnancy, if you will.
When the Lord enlightens us with the faith by which we are saved through Jesus Christ, the hope we receive is very much like the hope in finding out that you are about to have a child in 9 months, except exceedingly better. For the hope of the coming King brings about an emotion that in inexplicable and an inner longing, even a painful longing for the glory to come in Christ Jesus, our Hope. We may not see it, but we are CERTAIN that the due date is coming soon, and we are starting to feel the warm-up contractions, and we know the labor contractions are coming soon! Until then, we wait in patience, trusting that the Lord is sovereign over all.
Maybe this means we should finally get the confidence in Christ to tell a co-worker about him? Maybe this means we should stop complaining about the little things in this world that rub us the wrong way? Maybe this means we should quit feeding our bitterness and forgive someone (you know who). Waiting in patience doesn't mean we sit twiddling our thumbs. My wife and I spent a LOT of money and time and effort preparing for my baby's coming making sure that she'll be coming home to a nursery that is well stocked with everything (and i mean everything!). How are you waiting in patience for the Hope of the coming King?
