Waiting

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? – Romans 8.23-24

‘ Tiocfaidh ár lá’- our day will come indeed. But in the meantime can be a pretty rough time. It is not always easy. I have often wanted to cry out with John ‘even so come Lord Jesus’ or agreed with Patrick who wrote ‘we are looking for the soon appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ We still long for that day and mockers say ‘where is His coming?’ We’ve been looking for it for a long time, how do we endure.

We are awaiting our full adoption into God’s family. We struggle with sin and groan for our full redemption when we no longer have to battle with sin. It is hope that gets us through all of this. If we could see it it would not be hope. As we have seen this hope is not a vain hope that ‘maybe this or that will happen.’ It is an assured hope that carries us through the waiting and the groaning and the eager anticipation.

In the meanTime let us run with patience the race that is set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.