Let me clarify something that hopefully is obvious right out of the gate, I am not a woman. I know this is shocking news (hoping you sense my sarcasm), but indeed it is true. Therefore, since I am not a woman, I am in no way going to even come close to acting (or writing) like I know what it’s like to go through childbirth. There, done, that is my disclaimer.
“Romans 18:22 – 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.”
I used to take this passage and use it when tragedies happened in terms of creation such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes. I would explain that since creation itself is groaning together in the pains of childbirth, it means that it will have to continue to get worse or more intense as time goes on until Jesus returns. What I didn’t realize until recently, is that I was only getting half of that right and missing a crucial point.
Yes, creation is sinful. It will continue to get worse until Jesus returns, that is a fact. However, it mentions groaning in the pains of childbirth, well, what happens after childbirth? I couldn’t speak to this personally until recently with the birth of our daughter (almost 8 months ago). Childbirth is hard, pregnancy is hard, but what comes next is beautiful.
Any Mom that I have asked if it was worth it all, all say the same thing with a resounding “Yes!” It’s because of the gift of God that happens afterwards. It’s because of new life that takes place immediately upon childbirth. You go from the past 9-10 months of adjusting, doctor visits, potential problems here and there, pain, and the list goes on….to a new baby in your arms and as you look down at him or her, and you mention to yourself, “it was all worth it.”
The same thing will happen with creation. It will all be worth it. (Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:5) We can trust in our Creator that even when bad things happen here on earth, because of it being sinful, that the new heaven and new earth are coming, and it will surely be worth it. But this goes far beyond just creation, this also includes us…
“Romans 18:23 – 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.”
We are also groaning just like creation. We are also sinful just like creation. Meaning sinful things will happen with us while on this earth. The recent tragedies of the Boston Marathon & West Texas are no exception here to this truth. Fortunately, we can have hope when we experience or witness these things happening. The pains of childbirth and still taking place, but it won’t last forever…
“Revelation 21:4 – 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.”
Jesus will take away all of this. He will wipe away our tears, He will cause death to be no more, He will remove pain, He will take away suffering, and He will destroy sin. If you turn on the news lately, it’s all about tragedies, rumors of wars, & talks of abortion trials. The temptation here is to lose hope and drown ourselves in misery. I say let’s turn to hope and know that the new heaven and new earth is coming, that there will be a day when all of this will go away. The pains of childbirth will be over.
We can experience hope now. Jesus already died on the Cross, once and for all (1 Peter 3:18). He gives us hope in the fact we can experience forgiveness, love, and freedom today. All we have to do is repent and believe in Him, and we will be saved. Yes, we will still sin and experience the pains of childbirth, but the Holy Spirit is our Comforter and will comfort us in times of affliction and pain, all the while we look forward to His return (Romans 8:28).
I encourage you in these times to find Hope, to know we have a Rescuer who is mighty and true, and when tragedies continue to take place here on earth, that you will look to Jesus to bring you through it.
“Romans 8:38 – For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
