Prison, Pregnancy and Honoring Christ Through it All

I have never been to prison, but I've been pregnant.  As a woman who has given birth six times, I marvel that a man wrote these words...

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 

in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, 

holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1

Growing children inside your belly is a miracle, a wonder, an amazing privilege, and also "a living sacrifice," right?

For nine months, give or take, your body becomes this little incubator of life.  As this little person grows inside, Physically, every system becomes focused on developing this baby.  Respiratory rate rises, blood volume increases, your stomach moves up and out of the way of the growing baby, your breasts prepare to become the ultimate feeding machine, and we are not even going to talk about the hormonal changes.  Good grief!

You are truly offering your body as a living sacrifice.

Whether in ...

pregnancy or prison, 

folding laundry or fixing dinner, 

changing diapers or changing lanes, 

we have the opportunity to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.

Paul says this in another way.

Whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

  1 Corinthians 10:31

So, when Paul is in prison, it's no surprise that one of his main goals is to glorify God.

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ 

this will turn out for my deliverance, 

as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, 

but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body

whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:19-20

How can you honor Christ in your body today?

• If today is filled to the brim with ordinary, will you trust God to infuse the mundane with meaning?  

• If today offers a courageous choice, will you trust God to lead you through your personal Jordan?  

• If today is weighty with life and death, will you trust God to press glory wine through the sieve of your pain?  

How can you honor Christ in your body today?  Leave a comment or email me at cynthiafin@gmail. com.  I'd love to hear from you!

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