The same Holy Spirit who formed the Holy One in Mary’s womb, is forming Christ in you!

“And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)”

“… my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! (Galatians 4:19)”

Today is not God’s day off. From the moment you get out of bed, shower, get dressed, brush your teeth, to the moment you collapse back in exactly the place you started – every second of every moment – God will be hard at work. You will not go to work without God. You will not take the day off without God. You will not stay at home sick in bed without God. He will be there hard at work. What is he doing?

What requires so much time and such constant attention? God is forming Christ in you. Just like He did with Mary and the physical Jesus, so God, through His Spirit, is at work forming Christ in you. God is forming Christ in you spiritually – that is, making you holy. The child God formed in Mary was holy. God is making you just like that child, Holy.

It’s such a tough project Paul says that it causes him anguish. But take heart. It will happen. Firstly, it is God’s work. He is not like you and me – He doesn’t give up on projects that He starts. He sees things through to the end. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Secondly, don’t worry about God getting tired. The power it takes to make a virgin conceive gives you comfort that however far from Christ you may be, His power will get the job done.

Thirdly, go with it. Don’t resist. In everything today, in every situation, keep this in mind. Keep yielding. Keep giving in to His will and do what pleases Him.

Finally, be encouraged. Stuff is going to happen today that will disappoint you. The world will rear its ugly head again. People and circumstances and your own self will let you down. God won’t. Through every one of those annoying things He will be working.

Sometimes you get the brush and sometimes the chisel. Both are the Artist’s work sculpting Christ in you making you more holy. Remember that the Invisible Hand that holds the tools is the same hand that formed Christ to die for you. You can trust that hand. Like C.S. Lewis said, you will be so utterly amazed at the finished product, when you see yourself in glory you will be tempted to worship yourself! But not yet. Patience.