INAUSPICIOUS BEGINNINGS

INAUSPICIOUS BEGINNINGS

About three decades ago, two close personal friends were anticipating the birth of their first child. They were more than anxious when their baby arrived two months early. At just under 2 pounds (less than 1 kilogram), he was severely underweight and his lungs were undeveloped. The obstetrician offered little hope for his survival.

I remember visiting the stressed parents at the hospital. We viewed their struggling infant through the glass windows of the pediatric intensive care unit. I would never have verbalized my feelings at the time, but frankly, little Kenny didn’t look like much. He was incredibly tiny; his skin was shriveled; he was on life support; and he actually appeared to be a goner.

However, Kenny’s family stayed by his side almost three months, praying fervently for a miracle. The unexpected happened! Against all odds, Kenny’s weight increased dramatically and the doctors upgraded their prognosis, stating the newborn was fully developed and would enjoy excellent health.

What looked like defeat and death was gradually transformed into victory. Ken, Jr. now towers in stature (and in weight) over his parents and most of his family. He is 31 years old, very healthy, highly successful and a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you were born right on schedule, but you might have also experienced an inauspicious beginning. It could be that you were part of a family that was ill-equipped – emotionally, spiritually or financially – to properly care for you. Or, you might still be combating terrible childhood experiences and memories; perhaps you were even abused. Or, later in life, you might have made poor decisions that resulted in heavy losses, pain, humiliation, or monumental problems in your relationships. As a result of such terrible trauma, you might have even rejected God. So you, too, might have experienced what could only be described as an INAUSPICIOUS BEGINNING because, right up until this moment, your life might not look like much to yourself, or to others.

But guess what? You are completely surrounded by great stalwarts of faith that originally did not look like much. (Hebrews 12:1)

Drifting down the Nile in a bassinet of reeds, Moses did not look like much. Yet GOD smiled upon him, spared him, nurtured him, forgave him [he was a murderer], protected him and thoroughly equipped him to liberate His people from Egyptian bondage.

Acting as a cruel persecutor of Christians, Saul of Tarsus definitely did not look like much. Yet GOD changed his name, transformed his character and commissioned him for global evangelism. And quite arguably, Paul had more influence of the development of Christianity than any single individual other than Jesus Christ.

Born in a stable, lying in a manger, JESUS CHRIST absolutely did not look like much. His environment was austere, smelly, dirty, dark, cold, and commonplace, but He emerged from his circumstances to live a life of total victory. He vicariously died for the sins of the world. He rose triumphantly from death and the grave, and is presently enthroned in Heaven with glory, honor and majesty. Hallelujah!

Friend, you don’t have to look like much – neither in your past times, nor in your present days. You don’t have to look like much to qualify for ALMIGHTY GOD to do a marvelous, miraculous and entirely “new thing” in your life. (Isaiah 43:19) Mark recorded this powerful promise of Christ: “Jesus said to him [the worried father of a demon possessed child], If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23, NKJV) Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!