Infertility doesn’t strike most couples as a great calling. In fact, just the opposite. It is a tremendous burden, an enormous obstacle, a prolonged season of undeserved suffering. Everything bad and nothing good. But what if that’s not how God sees it? Does that matter? If we could understand God’s purpose, would it change our perspective on infertility?
My husband and I rented “The Ten Commandments” a few days ago and watched Charlton Heston’s Moses journey from birth to the moment at the burning bush. In that moment, when God calls him to confront Pharaoh and free his people, Moses’ first thought is: I can’t. But, God doesn’t take “no” for an answer. As He makes clear, this isn’t about what Moses can do. It’s about what God can do through Moses. If Moses is willing, God is able.
He has a purpose for making it (appear) impossible for Moses to succeed, which He explains:
“…‘Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart…so I can perform these miraculous signs of mine… so that you may tell your children and grandchildren… and that you may know that I am the Lord” [Exodus 10:1-2].
God isn’t interested in humiliating Moses or putting him in danger, despite how it may seem. This story isn’t just about Moses. God is setting the stage “for these miraculous signs of mine” which require the appearance of impossibility. Why? “So that you may tell your children and grandchildren… and that you may know that I am the Lord.” All Moses needs to do is trust God, and obey.
Like Moses, we miss sensing God’s purpose when we’re confronted with what appears impossible. We’re too busy concentrating on our limitations and our fears. Infertility (and all of the failed procedures, unexplained problems, miscarriages and grief that accompany it) focuses our attention on what we cannot do. That’s all we can see, and all we can think about. We forget that this isn’t about us; it’s about what God can do in and through us.
When Moses says, I can’t, God repeatedly assures him, I will: “I will send you,” “I will be with you,” “I will help you,” “I will show you,” “I will teach you.” Why? “So that you may tell your children and grandchildren… and that you may know that I am the Lord.” That’s the reason. That’s God’s purpose. It’s not about the struggle. It’s about the outcome, the knowledge that God is God, and the story that will be told to generations.
The same God who spoke to Moses wants to step into your story. He wants to assure you, “I will be with you,” “I will help you,” “I will show you,” “I will teach you.” Why? “So that you may tell your children and grandchildren… and that you may know that I am the Lord.”
Suffering, struggling, wondering if you’ll ever become parents… it’s all setting the stage. And because you cannot see the outcome of the story, you worry about how it will end. But, if you are willing to trust God, He says, “I will be with you,” and “I will help you.”
The same I who knew the outcome of Moses’ story knows the outcome of yours. Trust Him, and before long, you too will be telling your children an incredible story of God’s amazing faithfulness.
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