So often we live under the illusion that things are fine. Then the presence of suffering reminds us that things are broken–that the whole creation is under a curse. So what or who do we turn to?
I like how John Piper speaks of two tyrants that exist in this world: suffering and pleasure. When the tyranny of suffering is present, we often subject ourselves to the tyranny of pleasures as a way to escape or numb our pains. But we end up in the same place, living under an illusion that is deceptive in nature.
Yes, suffering sucks. I think of a husband who awaits for the recovery of his wife who is under the tyranny of Covid-19. That husband and his wife are not just statistics–they have been my friends for more than 20 years. As I pray for them, I wrestle with my own longings for them. And as I do, I am faced with more places where suffering makes its constant appearances every day.
But pleasure does not hold the real promises I am looking for. Nor can pleasures deliver what they so colorfully promise. I know this because I have tried it before only to find myself living in the futility of such an illusion.
So today, I am turning to Romans 8:18-25 to seek clarity. I don’t want to live under illusions but under realistic, truthful hope.
Here is the perspective the Apostle Paul offers us: (I invite you to read the following paragraph and invite the Spirit of the Living God to deposit in your soul the truth and promises that can awake real hope).
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Here is what I glean as I read this passage:
It’s hard to believe, but the best is yet to come.
Suffering is part of the freedom package.
The curse the world is under is deeper and more tragic than my personal discomforts or
disappointments. We are in bondage!
Complete freedom from bondage is under way.
We the children of God are at the center of God’s redemptive work.
Feeling fine or numb about the current decay of our world is both inconsistent with reality and it misses the hope to which we have been called.
We are saved in hope.
Hope motivates and generates faith-filled patience.
May the God of Hope speak to you too!
—Diego Cuartas
*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.