Being married to a very gifted and talented L&D nurse, I have heard the expression said on multiple occasion that a pregnancy is “not viable until 22-24 weeks”. A ‘full term’ child is usually born at 39-40 weeks. Babies that are delivered at 36 weeks are for the most part, fully developed and 'healthy'... however, there are still risks and complications possible. What does this mean?

Well, if you are pregnant and end up in the hospital about to have a pre-mature birth and you are in that 22-28 week time period, your baby will be immediately taken to the NICU where they are taken care of by a highly trained staff of doctors and nurses, along with some very expensive medical equipment. And for anyone who has been down that road, you know it is longer than just an ‘overnight stay’.

Prior to these medical advancements, any baby born prior to 26 weeks stood little chance of surviving. And even today, with those advancements, any baby born prior to 22 weeks is not even considered to be a candidate for the NICU. They simply are not treatable even if born alive because they won’t live long.

When pregnant women come into the hospital with early labor pains and contractions...the staff does everything they can to keep that baby in the mother’s womb as long as possible because that ensures the best odds of that child being born healthier. Apart from being inside the mother’s womb, its chances for survival drop dramatically. Now...let’s change gears here....

Jesus was quoted as saying: “Abide IN Me...and I in you...you cannot bear fruit unless you abide, or remain IN Me....without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)

We’ve been talking about ‘birth’; both ‘spiritual’ and ‘natural’, and there are some fascinating parallels to be drawn from this comparison. So...let's review: an embryo cannot develop and gestate to maturity outside of the womb. A 20-week old fetus born prematurely has a near-zero chance of surviving outside of the womb, despite all the medical advances we have. A baby born between 24-28 weeks is unlikely to survive unless there is medical intervention given to it.

But now, consider this: A full-term, 40-week infant born naturally, coming out at a whopping 8-9 pounds with lungs full intact as it makes its arrival known...has ZERO chance of surviving outside of the mother...unless there is ‘intervention’. [Pause]. I am hoping you realize why this would be the case? If you lay that crying newborn on a table or bed or in a crib...and then ignore it completely...what will happen to that baby in a matter of short time? It. Will. Die.

Have you ever witnessed, in nature...where a newborn calf for example is up on its feet within an hour of being born? That calf stays extremely close to its momma...as in right on her heels and in her shadow. Why is that? Because it instinctively knows...that is where its source of food is, not to mention comfort and protection. If that newborn calf strays and wanders off...it won’t be long before it becomes a meal for a predator. (1 Pet. 5:8)

I want to close with asking you this question: At what point in time would you say it is wise or even feasible for a ‘believer’... to NOT...abide in Jesus? And once again you have heard me say: You can be a faithful church member and go through so many religious motions and activities...and still not be abiding in Jesus (1 Cor. 13:1-3; Matt. 7:21-23). What are the odds of you being ‘fruitful’ outside of Him? (John 15:4-6)