“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
I’m not pregnant — can’t be really. There’s a reason God designed women to bear children and men to faint while it happens. There is an indescribable strength in women with which men simply cannot compare. It is truly remarkable. It engages a level of courage, as Mary quickly resolved, that requires a level of letting go and marvels the most humble.
And while us men can’t bear children (Thank heavens!!), there is another seed planted deep within all of us . . . waiting to be nurtured, waiting for birth. Is there courage? Courage happens when I let go and step onto the ledge of life, away from security. While thinking about this concept I couldn’t help but be reminded of Little Nemo. I know, silly, but I’ve watched it a hundred times I think. Remember the scene . . . Nemo is with his friends, scurrying around the reef when suddenly they reach the edge. They express the danger of leaving the reef, open waters are not safe. But Nemo disregards the danger and swims to touch the “butt” — boat. Nemo let go and swam away from security. Courage!
That seed within me has been planted in the womb of my heart. It remains there unstirred until God is awakened within that place where my gentle uprooting occurs. And as that seed grows through true fellowship with Him, it feeds the soul and begins to birth the spirit of the man God designed. Do I fully understand or have I fully given of the womb of my own heart? Have I prepared that place of darkness, discomfort and true surrender required to give full birth to the Christ-self within me? Is it possible this is what Peter meant when he wrote in II Peter 1:4, “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature . . . “?
The courage of birth is a miracle in itself, but where there is such courage there lies the recipe for being and becoming possible. It takes courage to step into that place where change resides. It takes courage to step into that chrysalis.
Here is a simple prayer from a favorite author:
To be fully human, fully myself,
To accept all that I am, all that you envision,
This is my prayer.
Walk with me out to the rim of life,
Beyond security.
Take me to the exquisite edge of courage
And release me to become.
Jesus looked at him and loved him, “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21