I sat quietly in a small room with no more than 15 chairs.
At first, I was the only one there, but then a few others arrived to wait
expectantly. There was nothing exciting, nothing extraordinary as we sat. A man
wrote in a notebook as his wife kept him company. An older woman leafed through
a magazine. A young couple chatted as they fiddled with their phones. I tried
to patiently pass the time until I was told that it was time to meet him.
Ryan David Creek. Perfection wrapped up into 7lbs 13 oz, and
22” in length.
As I met him for the first time, I couldn’t help but think
about this new life. How God himself had
formed this precious child in my sister’s womb. And I also couldn’t help but
remember a giggly 16 year old Jackie telling me about her boyfriend, Matt. Now, over 8 years later, I stared into the
eyes of a little one who is half him, half her.
New life. Precious child.
The parallels are just too
striking for me.
I am quickly reminded of the new life that God has given to
me, and has offered to anyone who would believe in Him. You see, I’m a sinner,
and I can’t save myself. I was separated from God and on a path to an eternity
without him. I was in desperate need of this new life. “As for you, you were
dead in your transgressions and sins.” [Eph 2:1]
But thankfully, the passage continues. “But because of his
great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even
when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.” [Eph
2:4-5]
As my sins entangled my hopeless body, I was brought into
life. I was dead, but now I am alive! A new life in Christ is cause for great celebration, just as we celebrated little Ryan's birth today. Being brought into a
living state is no small thing!
And here’s where the great news continues. Not only do I
have new life, but I am God’s child. Did you catch that? To those who
acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life, God- the God of the entire
universe- calls them children. Precious children. One of my favorite verses speaks to that marvelous reality. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should
be called children of God! And that is what we are!” [1 John 3:1]
With the images of new parents fresh in my
head, I take a moment to change the roles.
God holds and embraces me.
He looks lovingly into my eyes.
He kisses me sweetly on the forehead.
The image is almost unreal, but it’s true. God paid a
painful price for me, by sending His Son to die in my place, yet He considered
me worth it. And although I have done absolutely nothing to earn or deserve it,
he loves me like a father loves his child.
Have you experienced this new life? Can you call God your
Father? If you never have, I would encourage you to check it out. The life and
love that God offers is unlike anything that can be found on this earth. For
those of you who have, I challenge you to take a moment now to praise God for His
grace and unconditional love in your life.
Welcome to the world little guy, and thanks for bringing me
back to the One who made it.
