Before Sophie entered the world, we were encouraged by our Dr. to attend a labor and delivery class to better prepare ourselves. We begrudingly went, sat through what could have been summed up in an hour, practiced our breathing techniques, and left early. However, the whole day was not a wash because I did learn a little something about babies. The instructor described exactly what has to occur in the body and systems of a newborn immeadiately after entering the world in order for the babe to withstand life. Now, I knew that for 9 months she depended on me for life support, but it never occured to me just what takes place inside that tiny body directly after being 'cut off' from me. ..and it's pretty amazing. I couldn't remember verbatim what she said, so I looked it up to get the facts straight..so here's a little Didja Know Info-
Once the umbilical cord is cut and the baby takes the first breath, a number of changes occur in the infant's lungs and circulatory system:
- Increased oxygen in the lungs causes a decrease in blood flow resistance to the lungs.
- Blood flow resistance of the baby's blood vessels also increases.
- Amniotic fluid drains or is absorbed from the respiratory system.
- The lungs inflate and begin working on their own, moving oxygen into the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide by breathing out (exhalation).
Isn't that AMAZING! In a matter of minutes systems change and begin functioning on their own. I don't know how people can't believe in an Almighty Creator God when you truly comprehend all that has to take place not only for a baby to be conceived and developled for 9 months, but then to completely, with the snap of a finger, begin to adapt to our world. It blows my mind!
Now I know all of this is crazy cool, but I post all of this to make a point. As I was taking in all that happens when a baby is born, it made me realize what it truly means to be "born again" in Christ. If you've grown up in the church you've heard that you need to be "born again." Which to most sounds like a really silly thing because how can an adult be "born again?" In fact, in John, Nicodemus brings up this exact point to Jesus. In which Jesus replies:
John 3:5-8
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]
So what does it mean to be born again? Here is what I take from this passage and from the knowledge of actual birth... When we are "born again" the Holy Spirit takes over our hearts and breathes new life within us. The moment we ask Christ into our hearts, we begin to function and adapt to a new way of life...a Holy life..a beautiful life..a pure life. When we become a Christian, we are no longer clinging to sin to sustain us, rather in an instant our hearts and minds click over into a new system.. a brand new start..a Spirit filled body. I don't know about you, but this leaves me in awe of our Creator. It gives me hope and it fills me with inexpressible joy. No longer is my past, my shortcomings, my sin, a part of me..they are gone..dead.
Yet I have to wonder how many of us still cling to who we were? How often do we take for granted this new life and try to survive on our own? A fifteen year old wouldn't function well acting like a baby in a womb.. there would be no growth, no progress..no life. Just as a Christian..or person.. can't function well living in sin.
From the moment we are born again, just like a baby, we begin to function in a new world. And, just like a baby, we as Christians have to learn how to live in this new life. It is slow at first, everything is new and exciting, and as time goes on we grow and mature. Yet, we still have to lean on the Giver of our new life. Just as a child depends on their parent for discipline, comfort, nuturing,essentials, etc. so must we depend on Christ. It's a journey and a process. There will be periods of frustration, of confusion. Times that we don't know what to do, what to ask, or how to be. But with that comes endurance, patience, blessing and security if we chose to embrace it.
So today I hope that we would be reminded that with Christ we have been given a new life... a life of purity, a life free from bondage..a life of innocence. And if you haven't received it..it's waiting. All you have to do is cry out to your Heavenly Father and allow Him to deliever you again. Praise be to Him who is able to do imaginably more!
Love
