The Gift of Life

As Christians, we should no longer bow in craven fear before a furious Judge, for His fury has been spent upon His willing Son. As Christians, we should no longer have our view of God as Father shackled to our experience with our earthly fathers, whether absent, harsh, abusive or lenient. I promise you, none were perfect. But rather, we should boldly assert that our earthly father is not the only or right lens by which we see God.

We’ve seen that our Father loved us before we existed, predestined us to adoption, created the universe to show us His strength and sacrificed His only Son for our redemption.

Remember we are traveling in chronological order, so loving act number five is: Our Father gave us physical life. Of all ten, this is the one we most often take for granted and easily forget.

In Gen. 29:31 the inspired texts says, “The Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.” Leah had children because God the Father acted, allowing her to conceive and bring forth. Now in the ancient Near Eastern world, when you were barren and your rival, who happened to share the same husband, wasn’t, you are not a happy camper. You bear a stigma that is downright oppressive. So Rachel became jealous and angry. She blasted Jacob with “Give me children, or else I die.”

Now the fight is on. Jacob gets mad in turn, responds with the truth, but not much sensitivity. “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” (Gen. 30:1-2) Look, Rachel, I’ve done all I can. I can’t open your womb! Your issue is with God, not me.

So Rachel turns to God and Gen. 30:22 happily reports: “Then God gave heed to Rachel and opened her womb.” Acts 17:25 says “He Himself gives to all people life and breath.” Let that sink in.

It’s really quite amazing that I’m still alive at age 44. How many of you like me grew up on skateboards and bikes and never wore a helmet? In and out of ski boats, on jet skis, water skis, snow skis? We rode in cars without car seats, seat belts, air bags or On Star to save our lives, and yet, here we are! When I was a little guy riding with mom, I would stand in the front bench seat beside her in that old Chevy, learning how to count by 5s and 10s from the speedometer. Her arm was my seat belt!

We grew up around guns, knives, fire. I’ve launched my body off of really high cliffs into deep water, gone repelling, white water rafting and played nine years of tackle football against people who always seemed to be bigger, faster and better. Yet here I am.

As kids we jumped off roofs, rode sleds down icy hills, did many other stupid and dangerous things we don’t want our children to know about, like the time we held on to back of moving vehicles while riding skateboards. I was in a boat wreck at age 12 that should have killed me, except I moved from one seat to another, maybe two minutes before it happened.

For many of you readers, your stories blow mine away. You’ve seen active military combat. You’ve survived multiple near death experiences and can’t really understand why you are still alive.

We understand Psalm 71:6. “By You I have been sustained from my birth; You took me from my mother’s womb; My praise is continually of You.”

But you know, this gift of life goes way beyond just a beating heart. It qualifies us to enjoy the blessings of God’s common grace. For instance, not all food tastes the same. The colors aren’t all gray and brown. The gift of life includes sounds, sights, experiences, flavors, joys and views. There’s music, sports, dance, art, books, poetry … so many different people and places to know and see.

He gives us satisfying work, fun hobbies, thrill of buying a new car or building a home.
There’s the love of husband and wife, children and grandchildren, even pets. We can learn, travel and know the joy and comfort of coming home.

There’s long hikes to a gushing waterfalls and refreshing swims. There’s your first fish, first kiss, getting driver’s license, that first date with your future spouse (all other dates with all other women are forgotten and meaningless) to that first child, then that first daughter then that last child! “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)

Dear reader, you are not a number nor just a name. You are not a machine, a statistic or psychological label. You are not a personality type nor a highly evolved animal. You are an intelligent, gifted, human being, bearing the image of God Himself and granted life by the Author of life! Glorify Him by being thankful. Glorify Him by enjoying life.

Pastor Chris McKnight
Kerrville Bible Church