We Wait

Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Romans 8:20-23

“GROANING as in the pains of childbirth.” It’s a dramatic picture, a vivid memory for many moms especially. The pain seemed unbearable. We wanted it to be over as soon as possible. The reason we were willing to endure it, however, was that we knew the pain would prove profitable. After the delivery, we would welcome a new life worth all the waiting. The painful groans of childbirth would give way to the incredible joys of holding a baby in our arms and in our hearts.

Our groaning didn’t end when our children were born, however. In many ways, it was only the beginning. Paul says that we groan even as we wait with eager hope. So what does that mean for parents? It means that we aren’t surprised by trouble. We don’t expect the Christian life to unfold without struggle. Because we know death and decay are realities of the fallen creation we live in, we don’t accuse God of wrong when our children are impacted by the effects of the curse. We’re not surprised when accidents happen or natural disasters strike or deadly viruses infect. We groan, but we don’t give up. In the midst of our sorrow is a radiant, confident hope that a day is coming that will make all of the pain of this life worthwhile —a day of glory so great that our sufferings will seem small by comparison.

Lord, sometimes I groan as I think about waiting for you to free the world from death and decay. The curse is so real. We feel its effects in our family. We see its effects in our community. We experience its effects in our bodies. But you also enable us to anticipate a future glory. Help us to savor every foretaste of what is to come and wait with eager hope.