How Great the Love of God

I’ve always believed that pregnancy and the process of labor and delivery are one of the rare opportunities to really press into the desperate need for Jesus. I’ve always had uncomplicated labors and deliveries, but nevertheless, there is much surrender that takes place. Knowing that much is out of our own control, I believe that looking to Jesus to help bear our burdens and exchange our fears for peace and joy is the only way to really come out of the whole process with personal growth. 

I say all of this to say, I believe God spoke to me during my latest birth; let me explain. A sweet nurse introduced herself, initiated the paperwork, and set up my IV for the morning. I was induced for all four of my children, so this process was very routine for my husband and me. As we were speaking, she told me about how she’s heard much about my labor experiences. For anyone new to this page, I have experienced pain-free, unmedicated births. It is to the point now that I can even predict when the baby will come based on how I feel the baby descending. My labor nurse, who has been with me for a few of my babies, can always tell I’m transitioning when my cheeks get flush. Apart from this, I really experience no other symptoms of labor.

So back to this sweet nurse. As we were settling in, she began to ask me questions about my labors and what it is that I think helps me have such a good experience. I questioned her about the effects of pitocin, wondering if inductions actually have a reverse effect on my body. Then she said this: “Oxytocin is known as the love hormone, so maybe you are just so overcome with love that your body and mind do not feel the pain of what you are experiencing in the process of labor.” After spending a great deal of time in prayer that morning, I felt the Lord say to me, “…And in the very same way, my overwhelming love for humanity drove me to the cross, to endure an indescribable pain, for a relationship with you, with everyone.” 

I remember tearing up. It never gets old to me to hear it affirmed over and over again about how much God loves me. To know that He feels this way toward humanity, both to those who accept Him and reject Him, is incredible. The Word of God says in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

And in Romans 5:8:

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God loves you and me because He simply just loves us. There is no amount of good we could do to earn His love; He always has, and He always will love us. Knowing that He would be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, that He would be subjected to beatings and further suffering on the cross, He had the power to walk away from it…but He did not. We were on His mind. We were his motivation, His reason to redeem mankind back to Himself.

Taking it a step further, because I believe there are such intimate spiritual moments that can be found in laboring, His love and sacrifice brought forth new life. The son of God calls us all into the newness of life, to live as new creations through Him, and to drink from a fountain of life that is eternal and never dries up.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

1 Peter 1:3

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

Friends, I pray that this word speaks to you. The same way in which it moved me, I hope it touches your heart today and reaffirms how much Jesus loves you, no matter where your relationship stands with him. Remember this too: that God will speak to you in very unexpected ways, and often in a quiet manner. It is in our everyday experiences and encounters that Jesus meets us with a timely message that leaves an impression to last a lifetime.