God was an embryo
And why that expands my worship of Him today.
We tell our kids a lot of things—some of it sticks, while other bits linger in the back of their minds, waiting for an “Oh, yeah!” moment.
My husband and I sat across from our 21-year-old son at his favorite pizza place during Parents’ Weekend at his university. As he enthusiastically shared about his friends, teachers, and classes, he suddenly mentioned something that caught our attention:
“So, I’m taking this fascinating ethics class, and last week, we had to write a paper on whether IVF is Biblically ethical. I decided to argue in favor of it.” [1]
My husband and I exchanged a puzzled glance. We knew we had told him about his beginnings. Or at least, we thought we had. I was pretty sure there was a picture of him as an embryo in his scrapbook. His younger sister even teased him from time to time, jokingly calling him a "test-tube baby" (we have an odd sense of humor in the Snead home).
“Well, son,” we smiled, “you chose wisely.” Then we reminded him, somewhat sheepishly, that he was, in fact, an IVF baby. (Cue the “Oh, yeah!” moment.)
Here’s the picture of him at three minutes old. After him, we were blessed with another IVF son and adopted two beautiful children from Rwanda. Our parenting journey has never been easy, from conception to the present. But I’ve always cherished this photo. It’s a remarkable reminder of the intricacies with which our Heavenly Father weaves the story of each of His children.
But this season, this picture has come to mean something even more profound—something I hadn’t fully appreciated until I read {this poem} last week.
God became an embryo.
At least, I’m assuming when the Holy Spirit came over Mary, and she became “with child,” it happened in much the same way it does for every woman’s body. If you want to be medically technical about it, he entered this world as a zygote.
I’ve marveled for decades at the fact that He became a man.
The God of the universe, leaving His throne and the worshipping angels behind to become human. Check.
The one who admonished his disciples, saying, “Let the kids come hang with me!” became a kid. Check.
The hero who ensured Pharoah’s daughter found baby Moses before crocodiles found him became a baby himself. (Insert “Mary Did You Know?” for the 10,975th time as the soundtrack). Check.
But today, there’s one thought that is especially captivating:
The very being who fearfully and wonderfully formed David in the womb entered a womb. God became an embryo.
The one who spoke life into existence with a word from his majestic mouth became the minutest part of the process of that life. The focal point of all spiritual formation became the “formed.”
I’m sure there are many theological holes in my musings. Still, for my tiny mind and big, mama heart, it’s another level my Savior descended beneath his status—another fire he was willing to walk through, another cross he was willing to bear to save me.
What sacrificial part of the life of Jesus is captivating you today? Let me know by clicking “reply” at the end of this post.
Blessings,
Too good to keep it to myself…
No new podcast episode this week, but here are some blogs/podcasts I think you’ll enjoy when you’ve finished bingeing UnPerfect:
Ericka Clay. With every post, she perfects the art of making you laugh out loud in one sentence while taking you theologically and emotionally deep in the next. I’d jokingly call it some kind of voodoo magic, but I know what God saved her out of, so I won’t. Let’s call it what it is - a rare gift from the ultimate Creative.
Big Life Devotional: I discovered this podcast on a podcast about podcasting (that’s how good it is). It’s very different from mine - no guests, just sound, energetic, and fascinating Bible teaching and application with host Pamela Crim. I’m a fan.
Jon Acuff: I’ve quoted him often on the podcast. If you struggle with motivation, goal-setting, mindset shifts (soundtracks), or just like to laugh - he’s your guy. Start with getting his “Try This” newsletter. (And look forward to a special interview I’ve recorded with him and one of his daughters on the podcast in January - all about helping our teens and young adult kids set and achieve goals👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 ). Want a headstart? Buy the book - How Teens Win (or the one written for adults on the same topic: All It Takes Is A Goal). I’ve read and recommend both - and get zero dollars for telling you any of this. (But you’re welcome to “buy me a latte” below:)
Living Real Magazine: A lovely in-print and online magazine filled with stories about real people telling how their real faith in Jesus Christ impacts their everyday, real life. (You can read one of my LRM articles here:). There’s also a Living Real Podcast.
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[1] IVF - In-Vitro-Fertilization. I feel the need to disclose that we researched and went with an IVF practice that was very careful not to make more embryos than we would use, and no Snead embryos are lying around in a freezer being experimented on. Research before you refute - not all clinics are created equal:).