We Carry Within Us....

A few years ago I read an article about a book by Erica Commissar about the importance of a mother for her infant child. I’ve always been told that the mother’s touch was essential for a child to develop and that some children actually die if they are not caressed, touched and loved.  But this book argues that the mom’s intimate presence with the baby is quite important for the first three years of the child’s development, in a way a man or father could never equal.  I never heard that before.

But then I discovered, in the same article, that a neuroscientist, Dr. Tottenham, has determined that not only are infants biologically dependent upon their mothers, but that babies are far more neurologically fragile than ever before realized. He remarked that babies are born without central nervous systems and that mothers are the central nervous system to babies, especially for the first nine months of life; but up until three years the mom serves an absolutely essential role for the baby’s development. So every time a mother soothes or comforts her baby, she is actually regulating the baby’s emotion from the outside.

For example, an adult reflexively removes their  hand from a hot stove, or stops touching something that stings or pieces the skin, or avoids swallowing hot liquids.  It’s something our central system communicates to our hands, or feet or mouth.  Babies lack that ability—so moms, or a caring adult, are essential.

Now you might wonder why I am bringing all of this up. I did not understand why this article caught my attention until it hit me while I was driving in the car one night on my way to a dinner: God chose the Virgin Mary to carry His only and beloved Son; that same Son, Jesus, was born like all men are born, vulnerable and fragile, just like the babies described above. He was not born a “super baby”, but rather  into a very fragile and vulnerable environment. Jesus, like all infants, lacked this central nervous system that could protect Him  and therefore was dependent upon Mary’s protection, care, affirming words, and comfort for Him to develop as a young man. 

What an undescribable honor fo tor God choose Mary to be that mother! But what a wonderful young lady Mary must have been to be chosen. God trusted Mary with the emotional care of His Son—to see to it that He was properly loved, comforted, protected, and nurtured. I don’t think I have ever really grasped how incredibly responsible Mary was until I read this article in the WSJ. What an amazing task to lay upon a young mother and what a marvelous performance on her part.  Perhaps we Protestants forget how blessed and especially chosen Mary was….

Ok, so what does that have to do with you and me, though? God has not chosen us to nurture the baby Jesus. But if we have received Jesus in our hearts, we’re truly born from above, God has given us something just as holy as the baby Jesus. Listen, Paul told the Corinthians: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.”  (I Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV)….     

You and I carry within us the Holy Spirit, a part of the triune God! Mary carried a part of the Trinity— Jesus— and was tasked with caring for that baby properly, but we carry God’s Holy Spirit within us and we are tasked with allowing nothing to cause Him (the Holy Spirit) disappointment, discomfort, or pain!    I am not my own!”… is how Paul eloquently puts it. (I Corinthians 6:19-20, Paraphrased)  I not only belong to God, but I am carrying within my soul a part of Him. God forbids that my eyes, hands, mouth or imagination would see, touch, speak or conceive anything that would hinder His work within me.” (I Corinthians 6:19-20, Paraphrased)

I was born again and redeemed not to pursue my own agenda, career, pleasure, or personal enterprises.  Mary was chosen with the same requirements!   Both Mary—-and you and I—-were chosen to present our bodies as a holy sacrifice and to be a dwelling place for Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit

Our bodies are the temples of God!  His Holy Spirit resides within us!!  For crying out loud!  What are we thinking with the things we say, the places we go, the things we do—-and worst of all—-the things we imagine and lust for….that are opposed to holiness.

Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 7: 21-28 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

Time and time again Jesus connects actions and how we are living a new way of living to eternal life.   But I wonder if we have lost sight of costly grace in what we teach and preach!  There will be surprises in heaven—- Jesus was clear about that!  For example, in Revelation 22, Jesus said this: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts (the Greek word “pharmakea”, which references the practice of manipulating human life or through potions, drugs, or magical arts that invoke supernatural influence apart from the living God)  the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”

For a moment, forget the conclusions that come to mind as you think of  God as the Supreme  Being that must forgive us, because it is His nature, and because Jesus took our place.  That line of thinking is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace”.  You might be surprised if you’re relying upon that but have not been “crucified with Christ yourself.

Yes, we’re saved by the blood of Jesus, but reconciliation with God demands that we turn our back on the sins that caused Christ to be crucified!  Now that’s the question!  Have you done that?  Are you done with living like a dog—-that’s how Jesus said it!  Have you decided to follow Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to make you holy?!—-a shining light in some very dark churches.

Remember, Jesus came to save us from eternal separation and to offer us eternal life and peace with God! But He came to save us, specifically if you read Revelation, from sexual immorality, hate, murder, dishonesty, and the use of the use of drugs or potions or anything else that gets our imaginations and hope of God and onto something surreal, transient and temporary. Drugs, immoral sex, and lying are temporary mediums of satisfaction.  Living as true son or daughter of God provides eternal satisfaction.

Eternal life is a gift—-but you must accept that gift. Your hands need to be empty and open in order to receive that incredible gift from God. Your hands have to be emptied of the very things that make it impossible to accept a gift from God.  What’s in your hands right now that won’t allow you to receive the gift of the Christ child and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?  It is hate——a desire for revenge—-it is sexual lust or addiction to immoral sex——is it an addiction to drugs or alcohol——is it a lying and deceiving tongue—-is it your unsufferable price???

Drop those things and let them stomped under foot and open your hands to receive the greatest gift in the universe—the eternal and protecting love of God.

May God keep our eyes, hands, feet, tongue, and mind clear and clean for His Spirit in 2026….

Warmly,

Dean Barley

1945 Vineyard Road

Westfield, NC 27053

336 351 2070

www.vineyardcamp.com