In Christ - Pt 8

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 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. (Romans 8:18-25 ESV). Hope is one of the great words of the Christian faith, but it tends to be overused and misused and so has lost some of its force. We tend to use the word “hope” as if it meant wishful thinking. “I hope my team wins the game.” “I hope I get that for my birthday.” But for Christians hope carries with it a certain confidence that God’s promises will be realized, including the redemption of our bodies. That’s why the author to the letter of Hebrews speaks of faith in terms of hope, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (cf. Hebrews 11:1). Paul raises the bar for hope when he writes, “In this hope we were saved.” Hope is the confident expectation that though the circumstances of our lives may suggest otherwise, God’s good purposes for the world and for us will come to fruition. The news reports suggest that suffering overwhelms our world, brokenness rules our days, and disappointment is the inevitable conclusion to our dreams. But hope declares confidence in the God who will accomplish his purposes. Though we may not see it now, which is what makes it hope, we are confident we will see and experience God’s final victory one day. I find it altogether logical that hope’s first cultivated spiritual discipline is patience. Patience is difficult, even countercultural, in our instant gratification world. But hope gives us the strength to endure with patience until the very end. I’ve known this to be true in both the little delays of life and the longer, more prolonged parentheses waiting for some conclusion in life. Having reached a stage in my life when more of it is over than is left, I can honestly say that it doesn’t get any less painful waiting; however, it does get easier. I can now look back and see the many times God has done precisely what was necessary and good at just the right time. There is no need to expect any less for the future. He is going to complete this work begun many years ago in Christ. My hope is not some empty desire; it is the rock solid knowledge and experience I have with my God who provides for me nothing but good, even from the worst! Trust in Him!