The Suspense of God's Story

 

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 await for it with patience. (Romans 8:18-25 ESV).

 

Most of us have had at least one experience that scared us enough to make us walk a little more cautiously. Growing up often riding my bicycle through the neighborhood to go to a friend’s house or sneak off to grandma’s to get some of her home cooking, I’d always take shortcuts through the alley’s. However, one day, as I emerged from one of those shortcuts the biggest, meanest dog started to chase me nipping at my feet as I tried to pedal faster than the dog could run.  I did develop a defense against the dog. It seems that one good smack from a broomstick I fashioned for the next ride through the alley kept the dog from chasing me. He never chased me again. I still carried the broomstick though. You see, I never did like scary; I liked happy a lot better.

 

As you and I discover the Bible’s story, we often find that we don’t really like scary either. The Bible’s story leads us from Eden into a world where everything starts to hurt: our work feels futile, our marriages and families cause us pain. We quickly find ourselves stuck in a world that doesn’t feel right. Most of the time, instead of challenges and stresses, I’d rather have my story just stop for a while. But that would soon get boring, and I’d miss out on more significant experiences that God desires to work in my life. That’s often how He writes a really good story in our life.

 

If God wanted to write a really good story in your life, would you let him?