PUUUuuussshhhh!

They say that labor pains are some of the more extreme a human can experience. They’re the reason a nurse is never satisfied with your pain rating on a scale of one to ten. 

Truly. Every time I answer that intake question on a trip to the ER, the nurse responds with: 

*rolls eyes* “Well ten is the worst pain imaginable, so are you sure you want to stick with a three?” 

“You’re right. How could I be so ridiculous…” I mumble through the wooden stick I’m biting on as the nail is removed from my foot. 

- 

 “All creation groans…”

In Romans 8, the Bible talks about how all of creation is, in a sense, pregnant. That belly is poppin’, and new life is on the way. What stands between now and then? 

Groaning. Discomfort. Moments of pain rated at the ever illusive “10.”

Often I hear this passage used to describe the groanings of a world enduring war, famine, earthquakes, and the like - and what an amazing day that WILL be when the new heavens and new earth break forth in full. But also:

“All of creation…” includes you. 

Someday, a new you, totally free of all fear, shame, pride, and selfishness, totally free of every pain and present sadness, totally free of every heartbreak, frustrated sigh, and tear will be born in fullness. A new and whole you - radiant in glory, ruling over all creation jointly with Christ and the body of believers with perfect righteousness and freedom, completely immersed in the One who is love.  

What stands between the me of today and the new me of that day?

Groaning. Discomfort. Moments of pain rated at the ever illusive “10.”

A breakup. A diagnosis. A rejection. A misunderstanding. A falling out. A car accident. An unexpected bill. A loss. 

So are you… pregnant? 

I guess you kind of are - and you know what, ER nurse? I really do want to “stick with a three” out of ten on this one. It hurts! 

At the same time - new life is coming, and every labor pain, wherever it lands on the scale, signals you are one day, one hour, one minute, one second closer to seeing it in full than you have ever been before. 

There is joy set before you. An eternal weight of glory. New, unending, and true life. Every moment worth it.

So keep running your race. Boxing with purpose. Enduring to the end. Or as I expect to learn how to say properly and at the right time in the coming week or two at our lamaze class:

PUUUuuussh!!!