Loving God, pour out a generous portion of love, peace, joy, and compassion to this dear reader in whatever it is they face today. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Here is today's text from Romans 8:
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
We are a society of instant gratification. We expect and want instant results in all things. Who's to blame? I blame whoever invented instant coffee. Was it Sanka? Or Maxwell's? Some scientist working in one of the coffee manufacturer's labs decided that if they tinkered long enough and hard enough, they could come up with instant coffee. Of course I can't say anything because just this morning I made instant oatmeal. Within one minute my breakfast was fully "cooked." I added my fruit, sweetner, milk, and I was happily eating my big, most important meal of the day. I know I would rather as would most of you, have steel cut (whatever that means) oatmeals, slow cooked for, get this, five minutes. And there are those coffee purists who would rather slow brew their coffee and then enjoy the fullness of that taste. And don't get me started on microwaves!
The things of this world cannot be fast forwarded (there's another invention that helped us become who we are!). Sadly, that includes the not-s0-pleasant things of this world. There are things we wish we could fast forward. My wife would have loved to have been able to fast forward the nine months we awaited the arrival of our first baby. Our daughter is counting the days to November/December whenever our third grandbaby comes along. Sorry. We cannot fast forward that. We wait and hopefully in a patient mode, for that which is to come. Paul knew that the sufferings of those who were suffering because of their faith were more they could or wanted to endure. Yet, Paul knew of the coming glory, he had experienced it and knew what lay ahead for the faithful; yet he himself was guilty of not being able to wait as patiently as he knew he should.
What are you going through? Do you wish it were over that you could at least see the end of it coming faster than it seems it is? God is with you. God has revealed, through His Holy Word, all that awaits us for being faithful and patient. Make use of the time to share with others who are also awaiting what is coming. This Saturday, our church is going to help re-roof and install a four-ton air conditioning unit in a home that presently only has a window unit. The owner of the home is a paraplegic and needs to be in a cool room. I imagined from the day we dropped off the unit how he must feel and the excitement he must have towards the day the unit is finally in and working throughout his home. (What a neat way to invite those of you who can to help us with our Home reBuild this Saturday. Meet in our east parking lot at 8 a.m. Bring tools, hats, etc. Be in prayer for the success of this time doing for others!).
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the joys and the not-so-joyful things of today. Guide us in the way we should face each day and each challenge and blessing of each day. Help us share with others the joy we feel towards that which is coming to us soon. We pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
