For we know that the whole creation has been groaning
together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Romans 8:22 ESV
These present sufferings... which have the whole creation groaning... are labor pains...
Something is about to be birthed...
I've experienced the pains of childbirth... done some groaning myself...
But what I find unique... and most hopeful in this particular verse... connecting suffering with labor pains... is that in the midst of groaning... suffering... were moments of joy... things we look back on now... and laugh...
Something good comes from new birth...
And that is what all this suffering is about...
I know some... who have horrible stories... about their own growing up years...
The kind of happenings you might see on the Lifetime movie of the week...
Yet... as they tell their stories... born out of suffering... there are these moments of joy... which don't seem possible...
Grounded in all the suffering... is faith in Jesus... His work... His way... which shines the light of joy... into the midst of their stories...
So today... in this verse...
I find a handle to take hold of...
a firm place to set my foot...
when it comes to suffering...
Because of Jesus...
it's all purposeful...
moving us toward an end... which is good...
part of the process... of making all things new...
And he who was seated on the throne said,
"Behold, I am making all things new."
Revelation 21:5 ESV
The next time you hear about... or experience... creation groaning... through...
violent storms...
earthquakes...
tornadoes...
rock slides...
flash floods...
recognize them for what they are...
labor pains...
Then... Behold... see Him... making all things... NEW...
"... He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
and death shall be no more, neither shall there be
mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4 ESV
The memory of the suffering doesn't last long...
when you're holding... experiencing... something... brand... new...
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