Come and die.

The sonogram is a picture of Della at 16 weeks. The second is Maggie within a minute of meeting her. My little women.

Last night, these two ladies were a handful. And that is putting it mildly. This season has been one that has required much – way more than I want to give on most days. More often than not, as I parent these children, I am met with complaints about every choice I make. They rarely miss an opportunity to remind me that I know nothing and most often I am left unthanked for all the areas of life I put on hold to do what they want instead. I love this job and know it is a treasured gift. I also spend many days not liking it. It is hard. 

But, God. 

Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were still living in sin – that is open, active, indifferent rebellion – against a holy, perfect King he came to die for us. For you and for me.

Want to know more? If we have trusted in Christ for salvation we have been called to live the same way. 

Philippians 2 tells us to have the same attitude Christ had. He didn’t hold on to his rights and privileges, though he was capable and the only one deserving of them. He also didn’t cry out to others advertising how he could take himself off but was choosing not to. He humbly died the death of a criminal. He alone deserved glory and praise. He instead submitted fully for the sake of others. He suffered and died in our place. 

Christ followers – we are not offered the option to do away with what will be hard for us. Instead, we are given to the gift of sharing in Christ’s suffering so that others too, may know him. We must humble ourselves. We need to willingly choose to come and die. 

This is the hope the world truly needs. The fulfillment we long for and believe will come from earthly freedoms has us more enslaved than we could even imagine. We live crushed under the weight of trying to find our identity and purpose. Our emptiness feels unending. But, if we are going to keep fighting for our “freedoms “we should never tune in to that. If we do, we must be certain we at least don’t let our humanity show.

Our laying down of our supposed rights and privileges offers to a desperate people around us a picture of the hope we possess in something far greater. We have something so much better than just the ability to “do what we want”. Eternal life and a heavenly kingdom promises us joy and wholeness. Waiting for us is reward far beyond the best we could imagine in this life. For the believer, that eternal life has already begun.

Most days I don’t want to parent. Most days I don’t want to do anything for anyone. I’m selfish. I like things my own way and I think I’m always right. Deep down, who of us doesn’t? 

But, God.

He has shown me a better way. My struggle against it is real but following Him wholly has offered abounding joy and greater purpose. I had no idea life could be this good. I could choose not to love and serve my little girls because that would be easier. Good grief, though, I’d also have missed out on the very best of my life.

I can only imagine the added responsibilities carried by those parents whose children have special needs. My heart aches for the moms and dads who are left to parent a child alone because of death, divorce or evil acts against them. There is no insignificant thing.

Still, each of those children is also no less made in the image of God. They possess worth and value that was given to them by the holy, perfect and intentional God who created them. The Bible tells us he knew them before they ever entered the womb. This did not and still does not change based on their age, their abilities or the circumstances that brought them here.

Don’t be fooled, believer and friend. The advertised right for women to be in charge of their bodies is a foolish facade and a sham of detrimental proportions. A human identity and value is not changed based on if we want them or not. Has our country not been set ablaze fighting against this same evil belief perpetuated against our friends of color? How can we be committed to fighting for this truth in one arena while actively seeking the freedom to do the same thing in another?

Inconvenience doesn’t change inherency. Difficulty doesn’t devalue.

Brokenness is no excuse to belittle.

Jesus has asked us to come and die. I’m convinced there is no better way. Don’t believe the lie. Lives are at stake – inside and outside of the womb.

Struggling with this belief? Do you have questions? If you have considered abortion or completed it, know that you are not alone. You are not without hope. Nor do you stand condemned! Lets connect. You are loved and treasured – by me and even more so by Christ.