Eager Longing
Text: Romans 8:18-25
Theme: Hope
Reflection:
What is it you long for today?
Paul's writing in Romans guides us through human reality (suffering) into divine revelation (God's work). In this year 2020, certainly these words speak loud and true. One does not have to look far to understand the presence of suffering:
-global pandemic
-racial injustice
-economic hardships
-abuse of mother nature
-isolation and loneliness
-anxiety over the future
These are but a few examples of ways in which I have seen, or experienced, suffering recently. You could add your own to the list, but the point remains; individually and collectively, suffering is a part of our human experience. Paul acknowledges this, and we, too, must acknowledge this as a part of our lived reality.
Good news in this is that God does not forsake, nor abandon, that which God has created. God continues to usher in hope, in in the midst of suffering. God has sent the Son, Jesus Christ, so that the world may know God's love. God sends God's Holy Spirit, so that the world forever may know of God's presence, and God's promise. Notice that suffering is written into the narrative as something that has happened, and continues to happen. Even the "best" of Christians (whatever that means) endure suffering in this world. Christ himself, at his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, experienced suffering. God is no stranger to suffering in this world!
Yet, as God's children, we continue to wait in hope. We trust that God is not done with us, nor with this world. When Jesus comes again, the timing of which we cannot predict, we will all be set free from bondage, decay, and suffering. This may be in our lifetime, and it may be well beyond our lifetime. We are saved from sin, death, and the devil through God's action, not our own. You cannot save the world, but you can hope and trust that the one who does save the world, does so for you.
Siblings in Christ-- I do not know the entirety of your sufferings, nor the entirety of your hopes. I do know that my experience at Epiphany has revealed to me solid faith, generosity, and sharing the hope that comes in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will wait, doing our best to be patient, for Christ's triumphant return to this world. We will wait with hope, that the present suffering is nothing compared to the glory given by God. We will not ignore the suffering of the world, and we will do our best to ease it (for ourselves and for our neighbors), but we trust that we are freed in Christ, to serve God and love our neighbor.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Questions:
1) How have you experienced suffering recently?
2) Where do you find hope the world today?
3) How can you use your time, talent, and treasure to share your hope in Christ in with your neighbor?
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for the ways that you usher in hope, in the midst of suffering. I ask that your Holy Spirit always remind me of the trust I have in Jesus Christ, especially in times of suffering. Give me patience in waiting, and courage to love you and serve my neighbor. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Song: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (ELW, #596)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMapZB8qMk
Theme: Hope
Reflection:
What is it you long for today?
Paul's writing in Romans guides us through human reality (suffering) into divine revelation (God's work). In this year 2020, certainly these words speak loud and true. One does not have to look far to understand the presence of suffering:
-global pandemic
-racial injustice
-economic hardships
-abuse of mother nature
-isolation and loneliness
-anxiety over the future
These are but a few examples of ways in which I have seen, or experienced, suffering recently. You could add your own to the list, but the point remains; individually and collectively, suffering is a part of our human experience. Paul acknowledges this, and we, too, must acknowledge this as a part of our lived reality.
Good news in this is that God does not forsake, nor abandon, that which God has created. God continues to usher in hope, in in the midst of suffering. God has sent the Son, Jesus Christ, so that the world may know God's love. God sends God's Holy Spirit, so that the world forever may know of God's presence, and God's promise. Notice that suffering is written into the narrative as something that has happened, and continues to happen. Even the "best" of Christians (whatever that means) endure suffering in this world. Christ himself, at his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, experienced suffering. God is no stranger to suffering in this world!
Yet, as God's children, we continue to wait in hope. We trust that God is not done with us, nor with this world. When Jesus comes again, the timing of which we cannot predict, we will all be set free from bondage, decay, and suffering. This may be in our lifetime, and it may be well beyond our lifetime. We are saved from sin, death, and the devil through God's action, not our own. You cannot save the world, but you can hope and trust that the one who does save the world, does so for you.
Siblings in Christ-- I do not know the entirety of your sufferings, nor the entirety of your hopes. I do know that my experience at Epiphany has revealed to me solid faith, generosity, and sharing the hope that comes in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will wait, doing our best to be patient, for Christ's triumphant return to this world. We will wait with hope, that the present suffering is nothing compared to the glory given by God. We will not ignore the suffering of the world, and we will do our best to ease it (for ourselves and for our neighbors), but we trust that we are freed in Christ, to serve God and love our neighbor.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Questions:
1) How have you experienced suffering recently?
2) Where do you find hope the world today?
3) How can you use your time, talent, and treasure to share your hope in Christ in with your neighbor?
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for the ways that you usher in hope, in the midst of suffering. I ask that your Holy Spirit always remind me of the trust I have in Jesus Christ, especially in times of suffering. Give me patience in waiting, and courage to love you and serve my neighbor. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Song: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (ELW, #596)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMapZB8qMk
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