All Things New
By Marlene Houk
Burke County
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
Panic gushed through his soul as pain gripped him with an iron hand. Exhausted from seven hours of struggle, he could feel the push of the force that propelled him into the unknown. Dimly he heard the wail of the siren as he wrestled against the darkness and suffocating claustrophobia. He strained to glimpse the light at the end. Sensing the intense efforts of those on the other side as they assisted him, he broke free. An inviting bright light welcomed him into the emergency room. A team of nurses, doctors, and operating room technicians worked feverishly to assess, aid, and comfort his tiny body. He heard gentle sounds, two of which he recognized from his nine-month journey, and he relaxed, knowing that all was well. A new adventure had begun. Although he didn’t know what the future held, he knew that the familiar voices would remain.
New was completely unique! He had no past, and he had no preconceived ideas and no understanding of the significance of the culture he had been born into. His slate was clean, and he reveled in the luxurious love that cuddled him like the softest sherpa fleece. He also knew instinctively that he would be protected from the slightest threat of anything that attempted to thwart his parents’ goals for him. As his mind began processing hundreds of newborn impressions, his sleepy eyes watched a warm and caring staff work, and he knew he would thrive in this new world.
As family and professionals welcomed this newborn baby and expertly attended to him at the critical time of his birth, the event pictures in a microcosm the work of the Lord. He “makes our way perfect” in a majestic fashion, far above earthly abilities. When the Holy Spirit births the newborn child of God into the heirship of the Kingdom, a myriad of angels celebrate his birth. The spiritual gifts accumulate quickly, and his potential to glorify God instantly leaps to eternity.
These powerful facets of the new Christian life mentioned above (gifts, celebration, and living in His light) nourish and grow that new creature referred to in 2 Corinthians 5:17. As the church, his family, begin to gather round to smile and fill his life, their love banishes the shadows of potential failure and weakness. The fruit of his spiritual labors will glorify God as he disciples others and repeats the new birth process.
…The new babe in Christ lifted his wet face to the sky and praised the Lord of the universe for sending that ambulance full of Christians to help birth him into the family of God. His heart swelled with new life, and its rhythm filled his soul with spiritual strength and the all-consuming desire to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! (2 Peter 3:18)
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Marlene is an author and teacher of Bible studies. She may be reached at [email protected]
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Blue Ridge Christian News covers Avery County, Burke County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Yancey County, and Madison County in North Carolina, and Christian news from around the country.