Groaning!

How many of you have done some groaning in recent months? Did you know the Bible tells us something about groaning? In Romans, chapter 8 we are reminded that creation is not what it is supposed to be; creation has suffered from the curse of humankind’s sin. And in a real sense, creation “groans” in all kinds of ways for healing.

We can look to the fires and earthquakes in California, typhoons bombarding Japan and Korea, Tsunamis slamming islands in the Pacific, hurricanes ripping through the Gulf states, or tornadoes leveling homes in the midwest.

20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us. –Romans 8:20-23

Read that passage carefully. A time will come when creation will be set free from death and decay.

Well, we are a part of God’s creation. These physical bodies are susceptible to disease; yet these same bodies have “the Holy Spirit within...as a foretaste of future glory!”

Is God awakening you to the “groaning” of creation? Creation is at times smarter than we are. Creation recognizes that this is not the “glorious freedom” for which we long!

And when we groan within ourselves for the healing of the planet, for relief from this terrible scourge that stretches across our great country, we are joining the planet itself, sensitive to the planet’s Creator, crying out for healing!

So through all the worst that you have endured and feared, let us be reminded what the Apostle Paul continued to share from the heart of God: We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. – Romans 8:28

You will find some good for You from out of this pandemic. In order to experience the “good,” through your endurance, as you listen to those around you, as you bring your groaning agitation to God in prayer, as you learn to trust in His word – you are being “conformed to the image of His Son! ... And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory!” -Romans 8:29-30

-Pastor Kevin Lantz