Labour groans

All creation is groaning in labor pains even until now. (Romans 8:22)

We all do it—groaning. Something goes wrong, and we sigh dejectedly. We hear bad news, and we moan in disappointment. Disappointment in itself is a natural thing, but when you feel moved to groaning, what does it tell you about the situation? And more important, what will your groaning move you to do? 

When you come right down to it, groaning is a sign that deep down, we recognize that all is not as it should be. We all have an inner, hidden sense of the glory God wants us to experience. And we all know that we fall short of that glory. We understand too that we are still works in progress, that we don’t yet experience the fullness of the life we were made for. And so we groan longingly, like a woman in labor. She knows that her baby is coming, but isn’t here yet. She knows that the process is painful, but she also trusts that the result will be glorious. 

Believe it or not, groaning is actually a sign of hope! We groan because we know and believe that we are meant for more. We expect that wonderful glory that we do not yet see. If we had no more hope, we wouldn’t care anymore. We’d just resign ourselves to the status quo. But deep down, we know that God hasn’t given up! He’s still moving his creation forward to the glory he has intended for us.

So when you catch yourself groaning, recognize that it’s a good thing! Your inner self is recognizing that you are not yet clothed in glory—but you hope to be. There is more of the kingdom yet to be built, and you are longing to see it come to fruition. Use that groan as a springboard for intercession and action. 

So rejoice! God isn’t finished yet. He’s still at work. Remember, childbirth is a process that, once begun, doesn’t stop until a new life comes into the world. You are undergoing a similar process—the birth of a new life in the glory of heaven. That’s worth a few groans, isn’t it?

“Lord Jesus, I so want to see the glory you have in store for me! Help me see the ways you are moving us all closer to that goal.

 

from wau.org