Sanctification and Motherhood
I could have never imagined that sanctification could happen at a hospital while staring at consent forms to allow my three-month-old son to have open heart surgery. What did it even mean to “rest” in Christ? Within hours, I went from a God fearing, relentless woman of God (or so I thought I was) to a confused, full of questions, depressed first time mom. Understanding that suffering is not outside of God’s sovereignty (1 Peter 2:18–15), we come face to face with the fact that in the framework of God’s plan for us as mothers there is a beautifully crafted metanarrative of our Lord’s grand scheme of things. (Romans 8:29). My goal is that in the next five points we conclude that God also sanctifies us through the work we do as we serve our children. Yes, our work as mothers is holy unto the Lord.
1. God leads us onward
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:1). Oh, to taste and see the goodness in these words. Dear mom, do you know what this means? There was one single offering that perfected us for eternity. Does this mean we will not feel weak or make mistakes? No. However, it does mean that by grace through faith God leads us onward. Let’s all pause and take a moment to thank God that it’s not by our works (Ephesians 2:8–9). It is a precious gift. This means that through every tear, through every hospital visit, through every tantrum, through every confusion God leads you onward mommy.
2. Our children don’t belong to us
God gave us children. God gives us the strength to raise them, and when it’s his will, he also takes them (Romans 11:36). It’s one of the hardest truths that is implanted in my heart. For from him- (God has brought my son to me), — Through him- (All I do is through Jesus, his strength and his will)- To him- (We are for him and will return to him)- “…be the glory forever. Amen.” And at the end of it all, we take no credit for what the Lord has done in the lives of our children. God is still sanctifying us.
3. Sanctification does not mean perfection
We may be inclined to believe that being sanctified means being perfect and being absent to suffering, but this is not the case. Our imperfections in suffering are preparing us.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” (2 Corinthians 4:16–17)
God draws near to the suffering soul, and in many ways, God uses suffering to serve the mission of the Church. If death is a window onto the glory of God, then suffering even to death is part of our sanctification. (2 Timothy 3:12) (Philippians 1:21)
4. We can rest and have peace while being sanctified
Amid pain, we reflect on so many things we can do, fix and adjust to make things better. During our stay at the hospital for my son’s surgery, my thoughts lingered. “Am I being a good mom?” “What did I do wrong?” “How many times do I really need to call my insurance?” “Are they really going to keep asking more questions?” “Does anybody see my pain?” “Was I nice to that nurse?” I would stop and think, I need to be the perfect Christian, the perfect wife and the perfect mom caring for my son and many times alone, all while reflecting my best Christ-like face. I soon came to understand what Gloria Furman wrote in one of her books:
“Day and night moment by moment, we must choose to rest in Jesus. That’s what it means to treasure Christ when your hands are full, whether you have one child or a dozen”.
5. So how does God sanctify us during motherhood?
Spurgeon said it best:
“Do you feel that for you to live is Christ; that there is not any object you are living for but Christ — that Christ is the great aim of your ambition, the great object of all your labors; that you are like Samson, a Nazarite, consecrated to God? Oh! Then, remember that you are perfected in Christ.”
But if there are words that we should hold fast to during suffering, it’s the reminder Peter gives us on the necessary suffering of a Christian;
“who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1 Peter 1:5–6)
There will be many moments where you will feel as though you are alone, that nothing is proceeding, that somehow, somewhere the will of God has come to an end in your life. That your life has been flipped upside-down and all around, but rest assured that God is doing a work in you. Today, draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. You will find mercy and grace in your time of need…because we have a high priest that can sympathize with us.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15–16).
