From Groaning to Glory
Photo by Christin Noelle
“ We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.”
I can hardly wait for our new granddaughter to be born in just a few weeks. I’m excited to hold her in my arms and admire her precious little face. Having had three babies of my own, I know birth is challenging, but then all that labor fades into the background as a newborn child brings inexpressible joy! This new life is going to be amazing!
Anticipating the birth of a child is the closest thing I can imagine relating to the new life and glory God promises His children – the redemption of our bodies. Of course, what God has planned far surpasses my imagination. We are going to get glorified bodies like Jesus after His resurrection. Wow, set off the fireworks now! We will experience eternal life in a new body that will never die!
Right now, however, our wonderful bodies are wearing out. We age, experience disease, brokenness, and suffer pain. We will fade like the flowers and eventually return to the dust of the earth.
All this sickness can make a person groan. Are you groaning over some illness or pain? I have so many times. Even creation is groaning as our planet and people are on a course toward thorns, thistles, and decay. It takes a lot of work to keep our gardens beautiful and our bodies in shape because we’re fighting against entropy. James Newman said entropy is the general trend of the universe toward death and disorder. Ugh, a piece of High School science that I still remember.
Sorry for this bleak reflection, but it makes the good news all the more crazy-good! The apostle Paul said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
The bad news is going to be made so RIGHT that we might even forget our tough times on earth as if they were a dream. So, Paul encourages us to be patient and keep hoping. Our faith in God and the work of Jesus as our Savior is our guarantee of resurrection life.
If you’re hurting today – even groaning as Paul describes it, I pray God will bring health and healing to you. Yet if entropy seems like it’s gaining ground, remember it doesn’t get the final say. With God, even death does not win.
There WILL come a day… when you’ll get a new body. More glorious than the birth of a newborn, YOU will be transformed, the same, but better.
Your groaning will turn into GLORY!
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”