18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
REFLECTIONS
Written by Diana Joseph
We ask ourselves many questions, but perhaps rarely these: Is my present suffering really for a greater good? How do we, humans, groan with creation?
When something small goes wrong, or when we or someone else experiences suffering or injustice, our first thought can be, “That’s not fair.” It becomes me, me, me, I, I, I. Then I think of Paul. He was flogged, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned and in constant peril. His suffering was inevitable in the height of religious oppression and persecution. I picture Paul writing on two sides of a page: on one side, he lists everything he is suffering now, on the other, he lists everything he will inherit later. He adds it all up and considers - there is no comparison. That should challenge us. We often talk ourselves into being victims. I see how easily temporary suffering can become bigger than it is and rob me of joy, yet Paul belittled his sufferings. Imagine if Paul saw himself as a victim. We wouldn’t have these verses.
Then Paul’s canvas becomes bigger. It is not only us who groan. Trees die, flowers fade and our bodies weaken. Creation bears the marks of decay and waits alongside us humans for God to make things right. It was made good, yet, because of sin, it now waits for freedom from its bondage to decay. What profound and poetic language.
That makes me think differently about sickness, fatigue, ageing, disappointment, suffering and brokenness all around us. These marks of decay are real, but they are not permanent. Paul compares this groaning to childbirth, which reminds me of Jesus’ words that a woman in labour has sorrow, but once the child is born, the anguish gives way to joy. The pain is real, but it is leading somewhere. It is moving towards something greater.
This should be our end goal. Decay is not the end. Christ will make all things new. Until then, we wait, groan, hope, comfort and encourage each other as Paul did, and remind each other that what we see now is not all there is. This world is not our final home and creation is waiting with us to be set free. This is the hope we have as children of God, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diana is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.