“Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” (Romans 8:20-21 NLT)
Waiting is one of the things I most despise in this body. Every day I’m reminded that I’m not getting better physically, if anything, I’m simply holding on, waiting for the inevitable. Why the pessimism? Honestly, I’m not pessimistic, I’m “whining” to make a point. We’re all waiting for something! But ironically, whatever it is will still not satisfy us in the long term, unless it’s eternal.
We tend to love firsts: first date, first kiss, first drive in the car alone, first job, first apartment/house, etc. Even as believers it’s hard for us to get over ourselves. It’s like we expect God to give us heaven now. We want perfect health, perfect relationships, a perfect government, a perfect church, spouse, kids, and on and on it goes, even though we know they are impossible expectations.
In the verses above it’s like Paul takes a step back and imagines all nature feels the same as mankind. He sees humankind and nature locking arms to walk through this life of brokenness, death, and decay together. But there are some things that God gives us that seem to be timeless.
Recently my wife and I visited the coast of Oregon. Walking along the beach we listened to a sound that hasn’t changed since the beginning of time – the ocean washing up on the shore, then receding. It caused me to think of the people there, who were a part of an endless stream of families who for generations have brought their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to share the joy and majesty of a day at the beach. For some it may have been their first glimpse of the ocean. No matter how many times you see it, it never gets old.
Isn’t that what we do at church? We invite our children, friends and loved ones to join us in an endless parade of people who for generations have worshipped at the altars of churches. Why? Hopefully, to declare in the midst of all of our “temporariness,” there is something – Someone – who is eternal!
I’m not going to lie, I can’t wait to get to heaven, but what keeps my heart pumping with joy and anticipation isn’t heaven, it’s Jesus! Knowing Him gives a complexion to life that’s appealing, inviting, almost like seeing the ocean for the first time – everyday! How so? God isn’t decaying or predictably changing, He’s ever the same – constantly creating, using the tools of His creativity to recreate newness of life in each of His children every day.
If you know the true, living, Jesus of the Bible, like me, you may be working diligently on your “turkey-neck,” characteristic of many old geezers, but aging is just a fact of life. Viewing life as boring and just sitting around waiting to die is a choice I refuse to make. God is doing something new in and for us every day in a thousand ways.
His Word speaks to me in new ways each time I read it. Often a message I hear or a book I’m reading gives me insight into something for the first time; each time I hug my beautiful wife I’m thrilled anew that I have the privilege of being her husband and I’m reminded I’d better never take for granted the gift of love, life, and laughter the Lord extends to me every day I’m able to open my eyes.
Yes, absolutely, look forward to all the wonderful “firsts” you’ll experience in your life with the Lord, but never lose sight of the reality that there’s still a “first” no one has yet experienced, and won’t until He comes again!
I’m thinking of the words of Bill and Gloria Gaither’s song “What a Day That Will Be.” “What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be.”
That’s what I’m waiting for!
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 