June 10, 2025 • 20 mins
In this episode I'm sharing how the profound experience of birth and motherhood reveals beautiful gospel truths that will transform how you see God's love for you.
From the moment you discover you're pregnant to the intense moments of labor and the sweet surrender of holding your newborn, every stage of this journey offers glimpses into God's heart and His sacrificial love.
If you've ever wondered how your experience as a mother connects to your faith, or if you're looking for deeper meaning in the beautiful chaos of pregnancy and parenting—this episode will encourage your heart in ways you weren't expecting.
In this episode, I share:
🤱 How the unconditional love you feel for your unborn baby reflects God's unmerited love for you
⛪ Why Jesus chose birth language to describe salvation and what that means for mothers
💔 How the pain and sacrifice of labor mirrors Christ's sacrifice on the cross
👶 What your newborn's transformed heart teaches us about being born again spiritually
✝️ How raising children reveals both our sin nature and God's unchanging love for us
💕 Why your imperfect motherly love points to His perfect, eternal love
Scripture Shared:
- John 3 - You must be born again
- 1 John 4:19 - We love because He first loved us
- Luke 22:42 - Garden of Gethsemane prayer
- Hebrews 12:2 - Joy set before Him
- John 16:21 - Woman in labor analogy
- Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by grace through faith
- Ezekiel 36:26 - New heart
- Romans 5:8 - Christ died for us while we were sinners
I close this episode by praying over you—that you would see yourself as God's beloved daughter and find fresh encouragement in how deeply, perfectly, and unconditionally He loves you through every season of motherhood.
Mentioned in this episode:
✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library; Free birth prep tools, worship playlist & more
💛 Work with Me 1:1 – Doula Support & Coaching: Explore birth support and childbirth education for your pregnancy and birth journey
If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear this gospel truth.
Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Natalie Portman (00:45):
Hey there, mama.
If you're listening to this,chances are you're either
pregnant right now, maybenervous about birth, or you're a
mom who's been through labor andyou're reflecting on that
intense experience.
Either way, I'm glad you'rehere.
I wanted to start by giving youa little bit of background for
today's episode.
As I was preparing for my firstbirth, and especially after
(01:07):
giving birth to my daughter,Ellie, I realized there was
something profound about howbirth and the gospel were
intertwined.
I.
The way my heart changed afterbecoming a mom opened my eyes to
the deep love God has for me ina way I had never known up to
that point.
It was like I could suddenly seeand feel God's love in this
(01:28):
tangible, visceral way throughmy experience as a mother.
So I wanted to share some ofthese gospel parallels with you
because I hope this episodeblesses you with this same
reality.
I hope it causes you to gain a.
Fresh sense of the Lord's lovefor you and also helps you
reframe this season so that hereceives glory through your
(01:50):
journey of motherhood.
I wanna talk to you today abouthow birth and all its intensity
and pain and beauty actuallygives us an incredible picture
of the gospel.
And here's the beautiful thing.
Even Jesus himself acknowledgedthese parallels between
salvation and birth.
When he was talking to Nicodemusin John three, he says.
(02:10):
You must be born again.
Jesus chose birth language todescribe what happens when we
become Christians.
He could have used any metaphor,but he chose birth.
This process of moving from onerealm to another of new life
emerging through struggle andpain.
It's incredible.
So let's take a moment toexplain what I mean by the
(02:33):
gospel, because I want everyonelistening to understand this
reality, changing good news.
So the gospel literally meansgood news and it's the best news
you could ever hear.
The situation we're all in isthat God created us to be in
perfect relationship with him,but because of our sins, our
(02:53):
rebellion against God, ourselfishness, our moral failures,
we are separated from him, andthe Bible tells us that.
All have sinned and fall shortof the glory of God.
We have all done things we knoware wrong.
We've been selfish.
We all fail to love God andothers the way we should, and
the consequence of our sin isdeath, and that's not just
(03:16):
physical death, but alsospiritual separation from God
forever.
But the good news is that Godloves us so much that he didn't
leave us in that hopelesssituation.
He sent his son Jesus Christ toEarth where Jesus lived the
perfect life that we couldn'tlive.
(03:36):
He never sinned, never rebelledagainst God, and he always loved
perfectly.
But then, you know, Jesuswillingly went to the cross and
died in our place, taking thepunishment that.
Our sins deserved, and he becameour substitute and death
couldn't hold him there.
So three days later, Jesus rosefrom the dead proving that he
(04:00):
had conquered sin and death.
And now because of what Jesusdid, anyone who believes in him
and that he did resurrect fromthe dead, conquering death and
sin.
Anyone who believes in him, whotrusts that his death paid for
their sins and his resurrectiongives them new life, can be
(04:21):
forgiven and have eternal lifewith God.
It's not about being good enoughor doing enough good works to
earn God's favor.
It's about recognizing thatJesus did everything necessary
to reconcile us to God.
So when we put our faith inJesus, God sees us as righteous,
(04:43):
not because of what we've done,but because of what Jesus has
done for us.
We become God's children adoptedinto His family forever.
So this is the gospel that whilewe are way more flawed and
sinful than we would ever dareimagine, we are simultaneously
more loved and accepted inChrist than we could ever dare
(05:07):
hope in Jesus.
God's love for us is not basedon our performance or merit.
It's a love that is unearned andlavishly given.
And the gospel isn't just astory of salvation.
It's the full revelation ofGod's character, his justice,
mercy, love, and they're all ondisplay.
(05:28):
And what I've discovered is thatfrom the moment you conceive all
the way through raising yourchildren, this journey gives us
tangible, visceral glimpses ofthis reality.
So let's start from thebeginning with pregnancy.
I mean, from the moment you findout you are pregnant, you feel
this love for your baby, andthey haven't done anything.
(05:50):
Actually, they have made yourlife harder in so many other
ways.
They are making you feel sick,you're exhausted, your body is
changing.
You can't drink alcohol.
Maybe even you've given upcoffee, you can't do certain
activities.
But despite All of thatsacrifice and how they've made
(06:10):
your life harder.
You love this little personsimply because they are your
child, and this is how God lovesus.
He loves us simply because weare his beloved children.
One John four 19 says, we lovebecause he first loved us, that
unconditional love you feel foryour unborn baby.
(06:32):
That is simply a glimpse of howGod feels about you.
And then think about as youprepare for pregnancy, setting
up the nursery, reading books,getting your heart ready for
this little person to changeyour life.
You're waiting and anticipatingwith this mixture of excitement
and nervousness.
But God's plan of salvation wasprepared before the foundation
(06:54):
of the world.
There were centuries ofanticipation and preparation
before Jesus came to earth andjust like you're preparing a
place for your baby, Jesus says.
I go to prepare a place for you.
As you get closer to your duedate, you start thinking more
and more about labor.
Maybe you're excited, maybeyou're nervous, maybe both.
(07:17):
You know there will be pain andstruggle, but also it has
purpose meeting your baby.
So this reminds me so much ofJesus in the Garden of
Gethsemane, where he prays,father, if you are willing, let
this cup pass from me.
Nevertheless, not my will, butyours be done.
Even Jesus in his flesh, hewanted to avoid the pain of the
(07:39):
cross, but he knew what wasahead.
He knew the joy of gaining hischildren through his sacrifice.
And maybe you're thinking.
I do not wanna go through thepain of labor and all the pain
that comes from raising a child,and that's so normal.
Even Jesus wrestled with that.
But let Jesus' heart postureencourage you.
(08:02):
He chose to embrace the painbecause of the love and the joy
that would come from it.
So your willingness to gothrough labor to sacrifice your
body and your comfort for yourchild reflects that same heart
posture.
Now let's talk about laboritself.
The hardest part, if you'vegiven birth before, whether that
(08:23):
was vaginally or a cesareanbirth, you know what I'm talking
about.
And listen, I'm not going tosugarcoat it.
Birth is intense.
It completely brings you to theend of yourself and your own
strength.
There are moments when youwonder how you're going to get
through it.
Both birth and the cross involvethis intense suffering that
(08:43):
leads to new life.
Your labor isn't just somethingyou have to endure to get
through to the other side.
It's redemptive.
It's necessary for the miraclethat's about to happen, just
like the cross looked likedefeat Jesus, hanging there
dying, but it was actually theultimate victory over death.
(09:03):
Your most overwhelming momentsin labor are actually ushering
in new life.
You endure that physical andemotional sacrifice because of
your love for your child, lovefor someone you haven't even
held yet.
I mean, is that not incredible?
You're willing to go through allof that pain for a baby?
(09:24):
You've never looked in the eyes,someone who hasn't done anything
for you.
That is the same kind of lovethat drove Jesus to the cross.
You persevere because you areabout to meet your baby.
And Jesus did the same thing inHebrews 12, two.
He says he endured the cross forthe joy set before him.
(09:44):
He persevered throughunimaginable suffering because
of his love for his childrenthat he was gaining and that
includes you.
Here's something fascinatingabout labor.
When it comes to delivery.
You are doing all of the work.
You are laboring, you arepushing, you are enduring.
And what is your baby doing?
(10:04):
They are completely passive.
They're not doing anything tobring themselves into the world.
It's through the mom's strengthand endurance that the baby is
delivered into life.
This is such a powerful pictureof our salvation.
We are like that baby,completely passive in our own
salvation.
Ephesians two, eight throughnine says, for by grace, you
(10:28):
have been saved through faith,and this is not your own doing.
It is the gift of God, not aresult of works so that no one
may boast.
Just like you labor to bringyour baby into the world.
Jesus bore the weight of oursins on the cross and brought us
into new life.
(10:48):
With his death and resurrection,we don't earn our salvation.
It is entirely his work on thecross, on our behalf.
And isn't it interesting toothat birth and the crucifixion
involve the shedding of bloodand water?
These are symbols of life andcleansing and the cost of
(11:09):
bringing forth new life.
And for those of you who havehad cesarean births, whether you
know you had an unplanned orunplanned cesarean.
You are on that operating tablewith your arms stretched out
just like Jesus on the cross.
There you are in a position ofcomplete surrender arms open
(11:30):
wide as blood and water flow andnew life emerges.
It's such a striking picture ofthe cross even in the operating
room, God's design reflects thisgospel truth.
And then of course there's thatmoment, the moment when your
baby is born and you hear theirfirst cry.
It's like Jesus, when hedeclares it is finished on the
(11:53):
cross, the work is done, thestruggle is over, and new life
is finally here.
Jesus Himself actually used thisexact image in John 1621.
He said, A woman in labor hassorrow, but when her child is
born, she doesn't remember theanguish because of her joy, the
gospel follows the same pattern.
(12:15):
The sorrow of the cross becomesthe joy of resurrection.
And then this also blows mymind.
It's a medical fact that whenyour baby is born, their heart
literally changes.
The ductus, arteriosis closesand blood flow redirects to
their lungs.
Their entire circulation systemrestructures so that they can
(12:38):
function in this new environmentoutside of the womb.
The old way of getting oxygenthrough the umbilical cord
doesn't work anymore.
They need this completelytransformed heart to survive
their new reality.
That's exactly what happens whenwe're born again spiritually.
God gives us a new heart, likeit says in Ezekiel 36 26.
(13:01):
We need transformed hearts tothrive in our new life in
Christ.
The old way of living doesn'twork anymore.
And then think about yournewborn baby.
They are completely dependent onyou for everything.
Food, warmth, protection,comfort, they literally could
not survive without you.
That is a picture of ourcomplete dependence on Christ
(13:22):
for our spiritual life.
We are utterly dependent on himfor everything we need.
Birth transforms you into amother forever.
You can never go back to who youwere before you held that baby.
It's a permanent life changingidentity In the same way,
accepting the gospel transformsus into children of God forever.
(13:43):
It's something that can never beundone.
And then as you raise yourchildren something else that
reveals the gospel in a profoundway, your sweet innocent baby
starts to develop their ownwill.
They start saying no.
They throw tantrums.
They are selfish and demanding,and you realize they did not
learn this behavior from anyone.
(14:04):
It just came naturally.
This is such a clear picture ofwhat the Bible calls our sin,
nature.
We are all born with hearts thatare naturally turned towards
ourselves rather than towardsGod and others.
You don't have to teach atoddler to be selfish.
That comes very naturally.
You have to teach them to share,to be kind to think of others.
(14:25):
But here's the beautiful thing.
Even when your child is havingtheir worst tantrums, even when
they're being difficult ordisobedient, your love for them
doesn't change.
You might not like theirbehavior.
You still love them fiercely,and you would do anything for
them.
That's a shadow of how God lovesus perfectly.
(14:47):
Romans five eight tells us, butGod demonstrates his love for us
in this.
While we were still sinners,Christ died for us.
So even at our worst, even whenwe're being rebellious or
difficult, God's love for usdoesn't waiver.
As mothers, we would do anythingfor.
Our children we're fierce andprotective.
(15:09):
We would even lay down our livesto protect them.
This intense love reflectsChrist's sacrificial love for
us.
But here's the key difference.
While we might be willing to layour lives down for our children,
Christ actually did die for us.
His love for us goes beyond whatwe as human mothers are capable
of.
(15:29):
His sacrifice wasn'ttheoretical.
It actually happened.
Now I wanna shift gears a littlebit and talk directly to your
heart as a mama, because here'sthe thing, the love you have for
your children fierce andbeautiful as it is.
It is imperfect, and because itis a not perfect reflection of
(15:51):
God's perfect love for you.
You can still get a glimpse ofGod's deep, perfect love for you
as his child.
And that's actually incrediblycomforting too when you think
about it.
I don't point this out tochallenge you to be a better mom
or to strive harder in yourrole, but The truth is we will
always fall short of theperfection we desire in
(16:13):
motherhood.
We will lose our patience.
We will make mistakes.
We will wonder if what we'redoing is right, but rather than
feeling discouraged by that, Iwant you to be humbled and in
awe of the love.
The Lord has lavished on you.
His love is perfect, where yoursis flawed.
His grace is sufficient whereyou lack, and his patience does
(16:37):
not run out like yours does.
So here's what I want you totake away from our time together
today.
If you are in Christ, you arehis child.
And being a mother gives you aunique opportunity to experience
the heart of God and understandthe gospel in a deeper, more
intimate way.
Take heart, mama God sees you.
(16:58):
He knows you and he loves youwith a love that surpasses
anything you could ever offeryour children.
Your most intense moments oflabor are not random pain just
to endure.
They are reflecting the veryheart of the gospel, the lengths
Jesus went to because of hislove for you.
(17:19):
When you look at your child,remember that you are God's
beloved child too, and his lovefor you is perfect, constant and
unchanging.
So now I'd love to close ourtime together with a prayer lord
Jesus, thank you so much forthis precious mama listening
today.
Thank you for the profound wayyou've designed birth and
(17:42):
motherhood to reflect your heartand your gospel.
I pray that you would stir upher heart right now to give you
glory for how deeply, howperfectly, how unconditionally
you love her.
Lord, whether she's facing anupcoming birth or reflecting on
past birth experiences, I prayyou would give her fresh
(18:03):
perspective, help her see thather pain has purpose, that her
sacrifice reflects yours, andthat her love for her children
is just a glimpse of yourperfect love for her.
When she's in labor, remind herthat she's living out this
beautiful picture of yoursacrificial love.
When she's exhausted andmotherhood remind her that her
(18:23):
imperfect love points to yourperfect love, and when she feels
like she's falling short, remindher that you see her.
You know her and you love herwith a love that never fails.
Receive glory through her story.
Lord Jesus, use her journey ofmotherhood to draw her closer to
your heart and to help herunderstand the depths of your
(18:43):
love in ways she's never knownbefore.
It's in Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Well, thank you so much forspending this time with me and
I'm praying for you wherever youare in this journey.
Hey there, mama.
If you're listening to this,chances are you're either
pregnant right now, maybenervous about birth, or you're a
mom who's been through labor andyou're reflecting on that
intense experience.
Either way, I'm glad you'rehere.
I wanted to start by giving youa little bit of background for
today's episode.
As I was preparing for my firstbirth, and especially after
(01:07):
giving birth to my daughter,Ellie, I realized there was
something profound about howbirth and the gospel were
intertwined.
I.
The way my heart changed afterbecoming a mom opened my eyes to
the deep love God has for me ina way I had never known up to
that point.
It was like I could suddenly seeand feel God's love in this
(01:28):
tangible, visceral way throughmy experience as a mother.
So I wanted to share some ofthese gospel parallels with you
because I hope this episodeblesses you with this same
reality.
I hope it causes you to gain a.
Fresh sense of the Lord's lovefor you and also helps you
reframe this season so that hereceives glory through your
(01:50):
journey of motherhood.
I wanna talk to you today abouthow birth and all its intensity
and pain and beauty actuallygives us an incredible picture
of the gospel.
And here's the beautiful thing.
Even Jesus himself acknowledgedthese parallels between
salvation and birth.
When he was talking to Nicodemusin John three, he says.
(02:10):
You must be born again.
Jesus chose birth language todescribe what happens when we
become Christians.
He could have used any metaphor,but he chose birth.
This process of moving from onerealm to another of new life
emerging through struggle andpain.
It's incredible.
So let's take a moment toexplain what I mean by the
(02:33):
gospel, because I want everyonelistening to understand this
reality, changing good news.
So the gospel literally meansgood news and it's the best news
you could ever hear.
The situation we're all in isthat God created us to be in
perfect relationship with him,but because of our sins, our
(02:53):
rebellion against God, ourselfishness, our moral failures,
we are separated from him, andthe Bible tells us that.
All have sinned and fall shortof the glory of God.
We have all done things we knoware wrong.
We've been selfish.
We all fail to love God andothers the way we should, and
the consequence of our sin isdeath, and that's not just
(03:16):
physical death, but alsospiritual separation from God
forever.
But the good news is that Godloves us so much that he didn't
leave us in that hopelesssituation.
He sent his son Jesus Christ toEarth where Jesus lived the
perfect life that we couldn'tlive.
(03:36):
He never sinned, never rebelledagainst God, and he always loved
perfectly.
But then, you know, Jesuswillingly went to the cross and
died in our place, taking thepunishment that.
Our sins deserved, and he becameour substitute and death
couldn't hold him there.
So three days later, Jesus rosefrom the dead proving that he
(04:00):
had conquered sin and death.
And now because of what Jesusdid, anyone who believes in him
and that he did resurrect fromthe dead, conquering death and
sin.
Anyone who believes in him, whotrusts that his death paid for
their sins and his resurrectiongives them new life, can be
(04:21):
forgiven and have eternal lifewith God.
It's not about being good enoughor doing enough good works to
earn God's favor.
It's about recognizing thatJesus did everything necessary
to reconcile us to God.
So when we put our faith inJesus, God sees us as righteous,
(04:43):
not because of what we've done,but because of what Jesus has
done for us.
We become God's children adoptedinto His family forever.
So this is the gospel that whilewe are way more flawed and
sinful than we would ever dareimagine, we are simultaneously
more loved and accepted inChrist than we could ever dare
(05:07):
hope in Jesus.
God's love for us is not basedon our performance or merit.
It's a love that is unearned andlavishly given.
And the gospel isn't just astory of salvation.
It's the full revelation ofGod's character, his justice,
mercy, love, and they're all ondisplay.
(05:28):
And what I've discovered is thatfrom the moment you conceive all
the way through raising yourchildren, this journey gives us
tangible, visceral glimpses ofthis reality.
So let's start from thebeginning with pregnancy.
I mean, from the moment you findout you are pregnant, you feel
this love for your baby, andthey haven't done anything.
(05:50):
Actually, they have made yourlife harder in so many other
ways.
They are making you feel sick,you're exhausted, your body is
changing.
You can't drink alcohol.
Maybe even you've given upcoffee, you can't do certain
activities.
But despite All of thatsacrifice and how they've made
(06:10):
your life harder.
You love this little personsimply because they are your
child, and this is how God lovesus.
He loves us simply because weare his beloved children.
One John four 19 says, we lovebecause he first loved us, that
unconditional love you feel foryour unborn baby.
(06:32):
That is simply a glimpse of howGod feels about you.
And then think about as youprepare for pregnancy, setting
up the nursery, reading books,getting your heart ready for
this little person to changeyour life.
You're waiting and anticipatingwith this mixture of excitement
and nervousness.
But God's plan of salvation wasprepared before the foundation
(06:54):
of the world.
There were centuries ofanticipation and preparation
before Jesus came to earth andjust like you're preparing a
place for your baby, Jesus says.
I go to prepare a place for you.
As you get closer to your duedate, you start thinking more
and more about labor.
Maybe you're excited, maybeyou're nervous, maybe both.
(07:17):
You know there will be pain andstruggle, but also it has
purpose meeting your baby.
So this reminds me so much ofJesus in the Garden of
Gethsemane, where he prays,father, if you are willing, let
this cup pass from me.
Nevertheless, not my will, butyours be done.
Even Jesus in his flesh, hewanted to avoid the pain of the
(07:39):
cross, but he knew what wasahead.
He knew the joy of gaining hischildren through his sacrifice.
And maybe you're thinking.
I do not wanna go through thepain of labor and all the pain
that comes from raising a child,and that's so normal.
Even Jesus wrestled with that.
But let Jesus' heart postureencourage you.
(08:02):
He chose to embrace the painbecause of the love and the joy
that would come from it.
So your willingness to gothrough labor to sacrifice your
body and your comfort for yourchild reflects that same heart
posture.
Now let's talk about laboritself.
The hardest part, if you'vegiven birth before, whether that
(08:23):
was vaginally or a cesareanbirth, you know what I'm talking
about.
And listen, I'm not going tosugarcoat it.
Birth is intense.
It completely brings you to theend of yourself and your own
strength.
There are moments when youwonder how you're going to get
through it.
Both birth and the cross involvethis intense suffering that
(08:43):
leads to new life.
Your labor isn't just somethingyou have to endure to get
through to the other side.
It's redemptive.
It's necessary for the miraclethat's about to happen, just
like the cross looked likedefeat Jesus, hanging there
dying, but it was actually theultimate victory over death.
(09:03):
Your most overwhelming momentsin labor are actually ushering
in new life.
You endure that physical andemotional sacrifice because of
your love for your child, lovefor someone you haven't even
held yet.
I mean, is that not incredible?
You're willing to go through allof that pain for a baby?
(09:24):
You've never looked in the eyes,someone who hasn't done anything
for you.
That is the same kind of lovethat drove Jesus to the cross.
You persevere because you areabout to meet your baby.
And Jesus did the same thing inHebrews 12, two.
He says he endured the cross forthe joy set before him.
(09:44):
He persevered throughunimaginable suffering because
of his love for his childrenthat he was gaining and that
includes you.
Here's something fascinatingabout labor.
When it comes to delivery.
You are doing all of the work.
You are laboring, you arepushing, you are enduring.
And what is your baby doing?
(10:04):
They are completely passive.
They're not doing anything tobring themselves into the world.
It's through the mom's strengthand endurance that the baby is
delivered into life.
This is such a powerful pictureof our salvation.
We are like that baby,completely passive in our own
salvation.
Ephesians two, eight throughnine says, for by grace, you
(10:28):
have been saved through faith,and this is not your own doing.
It is the gift of God, not aresult of works so that no one
may boast.
Just like you labor to bringyour baby into the world.
Jesus bore the weight of oursins on the cross and brought us
into new life.
(10:48):
With his death and resurrection,we don't earn our salvation.
It is entirely his work on thecross, on our behalf.
And isn't it interesting toothat birth and the crucifixion
involve the shedding of bloodand water?
These are symbols of life andcleansing and the cost of
(11:09):
bringing forth new life.
And for those of you who havehad cesarean births, whether you
know you had an unplanned orunplanned cesarean.
You are on that operating tablewith your arms stretched out
just like Jesus on the cross.
There you are in a position ofcomplete surrender arms open
(11:30):
wide as blood and water flow andnew life emerges.
It's such a striking picture ofthe cross even in the operating
room, God's design reflects thisgospel truth.
And then of course there's thatmoment, the moment when your
baby is born and you hear theirfirst cry.
It's like Jesus, when hedeclares it is finished on the
(11:53):
cross, the work is done, thestruggle is over, and new life
is finally here.
Jesus Himself actually used thisexact image in John 1621.
He said, A woman in labor hassorrow, but when her child is
born, she doesn't remember theanguish because of her joy, the
gospel follows the same pattern.
(12:15):
The sorrow of the cross becomesthe joy of resurrection.
And then this also blows mymind.
It's a medical fact that whenyour baby is born, their heart
literally changes.
The ductus, arteriosis closesand blood flow redirects to
their lungs.
Their entire circulation systemrestructures so that they can
(12:38):
function in this new environmentoutside of the womb.
The old way of getting oxygenthrough the umbilical cord
doesn't work anymore.
They need this completelytransformed heart to survive
their new reality.
That's exactly what happens whenwe're born again spiritually.
God gives us a new heart, likeit says in Ezekiel 36 26.
(13:01):
We need transformed hearts tothrive in our new life in
Christ.
The old way of living doesn'twork anymore.
And then think about yournewborn baby.
They are completely dependent onyou for everything.
Food, warmth, protection,comfort, they literally could
not survive without you.
That is a picture of ourcomplete dependence on Christ
(13:22):
for our spiritual life.
We are utterly dependent on himfor everything we need.
Birth transforms you into amother forever.
You can never go back to who youwere before you held that baby.
It's a permanent life changingidentity In the same way,
accepting the gospel transformsus into children of God forever.
(13:43):
It's something that can never beundone.
And then as you raise yourchildren something else that
reveals the gospel in a profoundway, your sweet innocent baby
starts to develop their ownwill.
They start saying no.
They throw tantrums.
They are selfish and demanding,and you realize they did not
learn this behavior from anyone.
(14:04):
It just came naturally.
This is such a clear picture ofwhat the Bible calls our sin,
nature.
We are all born with hearts thatare naturally turned towards
ourselves rather than towardsGod and others.
You don't have to teach atoddler to be selfish.
That comes very naturally.
You have to teach them to share,to be kind to think of others.
(14:25):
But here's the beautiful thing.
Even when your child is havingtheir worst tantrums, even when
they're being difficult ordisobedient, your love for them
doesn't change.
You might not like theirbehavior.
You still love them fiercely,and you would do anything for
them.
That's a shadow of how God lovesus perfectly.
(14:47):
Romans five eight tells us, butGod demonstrates his love for us
in this.
While we were still sinners,Christ died for us.
So even at our worst, even whenwe're being rebellious or
difficult, God's love for usdoesn't waiver.
As mothers, we would do anythingfor.
Our children we're fierce andprotective.
(15:09):
We would even lay down our livesto protect them.
This intense love reflectsChrist's sacrificial love for
us.
But here's the key difference.
While we might be willing to layour lives down for our children,
Christ actually did die for us.
His love for us goes beyond whatwe as human mothers are capable
of.
(15:29):
His sacrifice wasn'ttheoretical.
It actually happened.
Now I wanna shift gears a littlebit and talk directly to your
heart as a mama, because here'sthe thing, the love you have for
your children fierce andbeautiful as it is.
It is imperfect, and because itis a not perfect reflection of
(15:51):
God's perfect love for you.
You can still get a glimpse ofGod's deep, perfect love for you
as his child.
And that's actually incrediblycomforting too when you think
about it.
I don't point this out tochallenge you to be a better mom
or to strive harder in yourrole, but The truth is we will
always fall short of theperfection we desire in
(16:13):
motherhood.
We will lose our patience.
We will make mistakes.
We will wonder if what we'redoing is right, but rather than
feeling discouraged by that, Iwant you to be humbled and in
awe of the love.
The Lord has lavished on you.
His love is perfect, where yoursis flawed.
His grace is sufficient whereyou lack, and his patience does
(16:37):
not run out like yours does.
So here's what I want you totake away from our time together
today.
If you are in Christ, you arehis child.
And being a mother gives you aunique opportunity to experience
the heart of God and understandthe gospel in a deeper, more
intimate way.
Take heart, mama God sees you.
(16:58):
He knows you and he loves youwith a love that surpasses
anything you could ever offeryour children.
Your most intense moments oflabor are not random pain just
to endure.
They are reflecting the veryheart of the gospel, the lengths
Jesus went to because of hislove for you.
(17:19):
When you look at your child,remember that you are God's
beloved child too, and his lovefor you is perfect, constant and
unchanging.
So now I'd love to close ourtime together with a prayer lord
Jesus, thank you so much forthis precious mama listening
today.
Thank you for the profound wayyou've designed birth and
(17:42):
motherhood to reflect your heartand your gospel.
I pray that you would stir upher heart right now to give you
glory for how deeply, howperfectly, how unconditionally
you love her.
Lord, whether she's facing anupcoming birth or reflecting on
past birth experiences, I prayyou would give her fresh
(18:03):
perspective, help her see thather pain has purpose, that her
sacrifice reflects yours, andthat her love for her children
is just a glimpse of yourperfect love for her.
When she's in labor, remind herthat she's living out this
beautiful picture of yoursacrificial love.
When she's exhausted andmotherhood remind her that her
(18:23):
imperfect love points to yourperfect love, and when she feels
like she's falling short, remindher that you see her.
You know her and you love herwith a love that never fails.
Receive glory through her story.
Lord Jesus, use her journey ofmotherhood to draw her closer to
your heart and to help herunderstand the depths of your
(18:43):
love in ways she's never knownbefore.
It's in Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Well, thank you so much forspending this time with me and
I'm praying for you wherever youare in this journey.
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