It is incredible the correlation I’m constantly seeing
between being pregnant and living a Christ-centered life. (Well, besides losing
my belly button, basic coordination and short-term memory. But even then, I’m
sure I could find some connection if you gave me enough time. Speaking of
coordination, I walked into two walls last week. Not one. TWO. It wouldn’t have
been so surprising had I been blindfolded… or looking behind me while I was
walking. But my eyes were wide open and looking straight ahead. And regardless
of what I told my husband, those walls didn’t really jump out in front of me.
Is this normal because we may need to take out some extra insurance. I still
have three months to go and let’s be honest…I wasn’t the most coordinated
person to begin with.)
Despite my sore toes and bruised knees, I love that God uses the circumstances I'm in now to teach
me more about who He is and who He’s created me to be. I was thinking this
morning about the freedom I felt before I was pregnant to eat what I wanted to without
giving it a second thought. It was so different then. Whatever I consume now
not only affects me, but the growing and developing little life inside of me.
It’s my responsibility to eat healthy so that my baby can eat healthy. I drink
lots of water, I take my vitamins, and I go for my walks. It’s not that I get
excited to do those things, but I know it’s what I need to do. Don’t get me wrong--
I love my cupcakes too. (Oooooh, especially when they just
come out of the oven…and they smell so good that you’re willing to suffer 2nd
degree burns just to bite into one at that very moment. And after you do burn
your entire mouth, you still think it was so worth it and go back for 2 more.
Oh…you wait for them to cool off? Umm..yeah, me too.) Anyways, my mindset overall
has definitely changed. After being aware of what I should and shouldn’t eat or
do, the decisions have become more second nature to me and I have a new sense
of responsibility.
That is how I long to be with my relationship with Jesus! I
am not living for myself. There’s so much junk in the world that is readily and
easily consumable. But just because my flesh wants to say or do or consume
something, doesn’t mean I should allow it to! Jesus Christ lives inside of me.
I am a new creation! My flesh has died and I now live a life of holiness. And
what I consume, what I watch and what I say, affects my relationship with Him. As
overwhelming as it can be to navigate through the negativity, immorality and
self-gratification of our culture, Jesus longs for us to live a life of hope,
purity and contentment! He has given us the Holy Spirit not only to guide us
through this maze of a world, but to convict us about the things that we need to
purge of. Even the “little” things in our lives matter. The movies we watch,
the music we listen to, the words we speak, the actions we take, the thoughts
we meditate on and the reasons behind our motives. Everything affects us whether we realize it or not. Jesus
abundantly gives holy things for us to consume so that we will be
more like Him. And sometimes (ok, most of the time) that means that we have to deny
the flesh and clean out our lives so that His life and can easily flow into us. The choice is ours and we must make it daily.
So this week, may we be aware of everything we are consuming
and consider getting rid of some of the things we know are not beneficial in
our relationship with God. The more of God and His Word we consume, the more
evident it becomes that what the world offers if bland and temporary, but
living a Christ-filled life is eternal…and tastes like a sweet, delicious
cupcake! Be blessed, my friend! I declare my God as faithful!
"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103
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