For the creation waits with eager longing 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 will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:19-28 ESV)
That is one of my FAVORITE passages in Scripture. I used to just read through it so brazenly, not truly soaking up the truth of those words. Fortunately, God has forced me to slow down a bit and truly experience this passage. Don’t you love when He makes the Scriptures come alive like that?
We recently went through this passage at 757 worship nights, and Dalton explained that the “eager expectation” creates the image of all of creation on its tip-toes, craning to see the coming salvation and adoption as children of God. Isn’t that such amazing imagery?! I absolutely love that. It resonated with me so strongly. For a lot of people, it has been a while since you’ve had to stand on your tip-toes and crane your neck to see something. God, in His grace and mercy, created me to be 4’11”, so I understand what it is to be on tip-toes. But this analogy rings so true- when I want to see something, I am on my tip-toes, straining to see over any obstacles in my way.
This is how we should be while wait eagerly for our Savior! When is the last time you have really been anxious for Jesus to return? The last time you were so broken by the sin of this world that you couldn’t even express your longing for God in words? Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit interceding for you in prayer? Let me tell you- it is one of the most comforting feelings in the midst of gut-wrenching experiences.
God has allowed me to experience the Spirit’s intercession so many times while I’m praying for the hockey team. I can not even tell you how often I have just come to God, held out my hands and just laid them before Him with “groanings too deep for words.” Whether I’m frustrated, discouraged, confused, hurt, angry- the Spirit knows exactly how to intercede for me. And He does. Faithfully.
This passage speaks specifically to the groanings as we wait for “the revealing of the sons of God.” This is the portion of the Scripture that has most recently been hitting home for me. Some days, I just look around at the creation around me, and it just hits me: We are so broken. We are with out hope, unable to save ourselves. Nothing that we do on our own can please God. Scripture even tells us that “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). That’s pretty heavy stuff. Have you ever just looked around at the sin that enslaves our world, our friends, our families, and just wept for the brokenness of humanity? It is only then that I began to even begin to comprehend the Father’s heartbreak over sin. We were created in His image. And then we fell. Now we are constantly seeking to reflect His image as best as we can, but we are still like broken mirrors.
It was then, and only then, that I began to feel the weight of my sin. The true weight of my sin. My sin is what made Jesus leave the right hand of the Father. My sin led Him to leave heaven, come down to earth, humble Himself, and give Himself up for His church. For me. For you. He died for the sins I haven’t even committed yet! His blood covers me and allows me to fellowship with God.
That is inconceivable.
I’ve been hard-core desensitized to that. I’ve just grown up taking Christ’s sacrifice for granted. That is so offensive! Even my best works are like rags before Him. And not just rags; the original language there is referring to menstrual rags. I don’t care who you are, or what culture you’re from- that’s NASTY. Our sin is offensive. It’s heartbreaking. It’s a problem. And when we begin to realize that, we can start to truly recognize our need for a Savior. And when we see how much we need Him, we miss Him so terribly. We long to be with Him. We ache to throw weight of our sin and run into His loving arms.
But we’re stuck here.
Not to be whiney and constantly complain about the flesh. But to be foot soldiers. To redeem creation, to take every thought captive, and to glorify our God among this fallen creation. We don’t deserve to worship our God. Yet He uses us in His plan.
I’m not saying its bad to yearn for God and focus on Him. Obviously that is what this Scripture is talking about! We are supposed to know that we have been set apart; we shouldn’t feel at home here. We’re supposed to miss our Creator and long to be with Him. But if we stop there, what good is that?? We must proclaim this good news! That is why God has us here- to glorify Him. So be focused on Him. Let Him mold you, shape you, and mold you in to His image. Then let Him use you. “Bloom where you’re planted, then let Him transplant you.” Serve Him whole heartedly where ever He has placed you for the time being. Run the race with perseverance. One day, He will graciously call all of us home. But that day may not be today. Be faithful with every moment He has given you, so that when we see Him face to face, He will warmly welcome us with “well done, my good and faithful servant.” There is nothing in this world that can be better than seeing the loving face of the Father as He proudly speaks those words.
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