In Christ - Pt 9

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. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:26-30 ESV). I’m going through a period of time when my physicians have decided that it is better for me to begin to change some of my medications. As many of you know from personal experience, that’s always a bit of an adjustment. On the bright side, I am told that within a month the adjustment will have been completed and I will actually recapture some of my short term memory abilities. Mary will be happy about that! One of the side effects of the transition is that the pain management has not really been as good. We haven’t really gotten the right combination yet while avoiding any undue side effects. I’m confident we will, but we haven’t yet. So, with that little truth in mind, you can see my “hope” emerge. Yesterday I talked a little about that principle as Paul deals with it in the verses just prior to our reading today. However, today we look at an extension of this thought. Physical and emotional pain is awkward for a faith as full of promises as the Christian faith. We feel the difficulty at many points in our lives. When we share with others who are going through difficulty in their lives, it is often awkward. Either our awkwardness leads to silence, which does not feel quite right, or the awkwardness tends to prompt platitudes that come across as hollow. Sometimes we fall into the trap of comparing “battle scars,” which really never works. Paul finds a way through the awkwardness by naming pain as real: “the sufferings of this present time. We do not know what to pray for as we ought. . . . The creation was subjected to futility. . . . [We] groan inwardly” (Romans 8:18, 26, 20, 23). Paul does not gloss over pain with a cliché. He takes seriously the reality of suffering in our lives. But the apostle does not leave us to wallow in pain; he does not leave us without hope in pain. Paul knows the whole story. Beginning with God’s foreknowledge and ending with God’s intention to glorify the ones he loves, Paul relocates our suffering in the much larger redemption story God is telling in the world. That larger story gives us permission to feel deeply the reality and sting of pain without giving up hope that God has better things in store for us. And, he does! Jesus’ resurrection proves that. Now, that’s something to share that will not sound hollow!