THIS LENT FOCUS ON NEW LIFE, BIRTH AND JOY. THIS COULD FIND A PLACE.
At first, this may seem to be condemning all procreation. Please know that this is not that. In fact, I personally feel that it is impossible for procreation to even occur without God’s readying of a soul to be born.
Psalm 139:13 New International Version
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
“Sometimes I think it’s easier to choose hope, when I consider the possibility that what I hope for could be an incomplete picture of what our world and its inhabitants need.” (explain and repeat)
For example, I remember how I used to hope for a child. There are countless reasons children are born. My reasons were very vain like what they might look like or how good of a job I could do parenting them. But eventually I gave up those reasons that I consider vain when I concluded that our world is already dying from overuse by overpopulation. This is its own controversial topic.
Micah 7:13 New International Version
13 The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants,
as the result of their deeds.
I don’t quote this verse as condemnation, for there is no condemnation in Christ. Neither do I quote this as a warning of unstoppable doom for our earth. I say it as a warning, which can be avoided based on our deeds.
One logical conclusion that could be drawn from this line of thought is that it may be better for me to make a personal choice not to procreate. This makes sense to me because it could lessen the burden on our home and resources in a way.
Although, I would feel selfish living my life without ever playing a vital role in the life of children that I have the opportunity to affect positively. Of course, there are many professions that facilitate opportunities like these. But what about the natural desire many humans have to genuinely parent a child and be family to them?
Earth is full of lost children of God who have no family or home. This leads me to feel that the best options I have personally, are pursuing a profession in which I can positively engage in the lives of children, until I might have the desire and opportunity to give a home and family to our world’s lost children.
(The Angel tells Zechariah of John’s birth.) Luke 1:15-17 NIV 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Turning hearts of parents to children… many meanings here.
