creation is groaning

"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. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 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. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." Romans 8:18-25

there's a lot of hurt in the world. and hurt hurts. in my prayer time lately, i have so many beautifully profound things to pray for, I am not sure i know how to keep on praying. god, this creation is groaning for you. it's hard not to be overwhelmed, hard not to get discouraged, and it's hard to know what to pray sometimes. in my heart and in my spirit i feel these moments, pretty intensely, for which i am very grateful. i consider it a gift, truly, to listen and to pray alongside people.

but this week, i am feeling the pangs of a broken world and i almost feel as if i have nothing else to say. not that i would stop talking to god, by no means! but, just....UGH...is all i can muster. and then, i long for my eternal home.

i don't have a recipe for how these moments drift into holiness. i don't have a stated direction. and i am okay with this holy tension. 

i was at the movie, "THE HELP" tonight and i found it to be inspiring, because it reminded me that adversity is reality in a broken world, where everything groans in waiting for perfection.

and in adversity, we can join together to support, encourage, and battle alongside & with each other. like aaron and hur did for moses (exodus 17), like ruth and naomi (Ruth 1), like the NT church did for each other (Acts 2), and like Christ did for the Church.

Jesus Christ promised that he would come back for us and bring us into Glory. He is preparing that place now. He is my hope and my confidence to live now.

i still don't have a recipe. and i am not sure that i won't get distracted by the longing of creation, tomorrow. but i do know my Foundation. his name is jesus and i know Him well.

John 14:1-3

  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

 

Ephesians 2:20

"built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

 

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”