Labor that produces joy
Both of my girls were induced three weeks early due to health complications. At my final appointment, a few days before the birth of my first child, my OB predicted I would be facing a long labor.
The Pitocin drip was started early on Friday morning, and by nightfall there were no signs she was coming anytime soon. I hadn’t dilated, and although I was having contractions, they were very minor.
My water broke in the wee hours of Saturday morning, and I thought to myself, “Good! Something is happening. Maybe now things will get moving and this baby will come!”
But nothing more happened.
Saturday drug on.
Late Saturday afternoon, the nurse noticed my face was flush. “Are you feeling alright? Let me take your temperature. I think you may have a fever.”
She was right. A flood of nurses filled my room in a frenzy and I was prepped for emergency surgery.
Feelings of fear and relief washed over me as I was wheeled back to the OR. The process of delivering my child terrified me, but I was so thankful the long-awaited time had finally arrived.
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.” – Mark 16:20-22
Jesus’ disciples were days away from walking through a devastating event. Their leader would be sentenced to die a gruesome, horrific death. The man they hoped would establish an earthly kingdom and conquer all of their enemies would willingly hand his own life over to be crucified. Grief, sorrow, testing, and pain awaited each of them.
But the pain would produce joy. Just as a mother labors in pain and is rewarded with the birth of her child, so His followers would be rewarded eternally for their continued faithfulness.
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling it. Fear of the unknown, worry of the uncertainty, pain of the reality. The laboring process is hard to watch and especially hard to endure. But it’s not wasted. It’s necessary and required to move us from one stage to the next, and what awaits us on the other side makes it all worth it.
No one can rob you of the joy to come, my friend. You do not labor in vain. It is a life-giving process. The pain will produce joy. The sorrow, gladness. The fear, relief. Hang in there because God will deliver!
