Hope Surrounds Us

Romans 8

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Lord Jesus--Your word does not try to sugar coat the reality that surrounds us. Paul's journey was much different than mine. The circumstances of his life were tied up in travel, church planting and conflict. Yet, the comparison between the present circumstances and the future glory still holds.

19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

Lord Jesus--Paul's point here is that sin has impacted all of the created order. Creation waits for the next step. Sometimes, on a quiet day in the forest with the wind through the pines...I can almost sense the anticipation.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

Lord Jesus--The futility of creation...what some have celebrated as the cycle of life is really twisted? It was never meant to be survival of the fittest. All life was meant to be a reflection of your grace and glory. Life was to be a celebration of the your creativity.

21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.


Lord Jesus--Paul was pointing to the fact that somehow our destinies are intertwined. There will come a time when all of the created order will be free to be in a way that humanity has never seen. I wonder what that will be like. I have a feeling that the food chain is going to shift, the cycle of life as I know it will morph into something so much more than it is right now.  A cycle of ...grace maybe?

You will be reflected all of the relationships of nature in it complexity and diversity in a way that I just can't get this side of your coming back.

Lord Jesus in this day, help me to live as you would have me to...in some small way let me be a reflection of your grace.