Groaning Creation

Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 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. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

It is hard to imagine the elements of creation groaning to get back to the perfect state they were in before the Fall. Humans can read, talk and relay the story down through centuries and generations, but how does that look to an apple tree? How does that look to a pineapple plant?

Sometimes I get oranges that are so juicy and sweet and even if they are peeled it is difficult to eat the sections w/o getting juice all over my chin. Then there are times when the outside looks so good, perfect color, nice little dimples and you open it up and it is like orange sawdust. How do you get a perfect orange all the time?

There is going to big a gathering; a feast. Jesus is going to have a feast and all His children are invited to dine with the One Who bore our sins on the cross so that we could accept His righteousness, in order that we would be able to sit in the presence of the Father.

I have been to banquets where the food was good and a few where the food was exceptional. When the Creator of the universe throws a feast, and all of creation is back to perfection as it was intended to be, the food there will be like none we have ever tasted. Sometimes people will say, "When you go to this place you have to have the ________, it's so good; it's the best thing you have ever tasted". Then you go and it's ok. At God's feast everything will be the best we have ever had.

All of creation is groaning to be back. Every tree which today is struggling to survive because of some disease, every flower that is wilting under the sun, every stream that has some pollution in it, every animal that is nearing extinction for one reason or another; they are all groaning, waiting for the King to return and put everything back to its rightful place. Will it be today that He comes back to restore His Kingdom? Are you groaning, waiting with excitement to see the King return?

My bones are creaking, like an overloaded timber in a ship that is about to explode from the force put on it from the storm outside pressuring to get it. I want so much for Jesus to come back today and right all wrongs, reward the righteous and carry us off to eternal glory. Will it be today? Am I living like it might be? My hope is in the Lord.