A Birthing Lesson

Nearly every time I have to pull weeds I think back to Genesis and to Adam and his curse. Every time I hear tell of the terrifying pains of childbirth I think back to Genesis and Eve and her curse. Both curses were a result of rebellion, albeit quite minor. In some regards they should stand as a testimony of the severity of the crime and of the holiness of God. For whatever reason pulling weeds has only been an aggravation and nothing more. I have not gained any spiritual insight from it. However, when I consider the pain a woman must go through to give birth to a new life I am struck with a realization of the severity of the sentence (punishment) which leads me to think on the severity of the crime.

It is one thing to know the theological position of sin. It is one thing to accept that the punishment is Hell. Neither of these things greatly effect our lives on this earth in any empirical way. It's another thing altogether to see the weeds or the pain in childbirth and know that it is a direct result of Original Sin. God willing it will be a year or more until I have to be a firsthand witness of the pain my wife will go through to bring our first child into this world. On that day I might have an even better understanding of the terrible nature of sin. If these things are but a taste of God's wrath then I am that much more eager to repent!