For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God’s children, and by the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” Romans 8:15, GNT

 

Marvellously, at the moment of conception, life begins in the warmth of the mother’s womb. A miraculous process sets in motion the carefully designed formation of each vital part for life at precisely the right moment, until, in the fullness of time, with tiny heart beating and a cry waiting to be heard, the fully formed infant is ready to leave that haven and emerge into the world.

 

Each baby, a unique being created in God’s own image, is full of undiscovered potential – yet it’s clothed in flesh, like its parents, and limited – something we understand increasingly as we strive to make sense of life, and achieve our goals, until we learn that we need to look beyond our human limitations to the One who can empower our spirits.

 

From the moment the baby takes its first breath it’s alive to the world and all that it holds. God sees the struggles, hopes, heartaches and joys, common to all people, which await it. He created beautiful Eden for the first people to be in fellowship with them and their offspring, and remained, despite the struggles and heartache that ensued through free will. Even when the chips were down God chose to experience life on earth, in its fallen state, to accomplish this through his Son.

 

Our earthly life isn’t meant to be one dimensional. God’s clear desire, through Jesus, is to free us from the limitations that sin imposes on us and free us from ourselves. Sin stunts our development and keeps us in a state of immaturity of spirit in which we can’t see beyond ourselves. This impoverishes us and robs us of our dignity, and joy. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)

 

Jesus told Nicodemus, “... unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6, ESV)

 

We take heart that, "the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom". (2 Corinthians 3:17, NIV) It’s the power of the Spirit that enables a person to be God’s child, bold to call him “Father” and experience true joy as he frees them from everything that holds them captive.

 

God is God who delights to be in this unique, transforming relationship with the people he created, and see us freed from sin, shame, hurt, unforgiveness, depression, addiction, and rejection as we come to him and embrace his love.

 

Prayer: Gracious God, help me to appreciate just how much I need you as my Father, and, as your child, your Spirit’s power. I rejoice that in your goodness and mercy you have set me free from sin, fear and self-destruction through Jesus Christ. Amen