Life is so full of ups and downs. Struggles , darkness, and beauty. The fallen nature of this world, this creation, but the beauty that still shines through. This week has provided both.
This makes me think of Romans 8 : 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 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 firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies"
Sin has affected all of creation....but thankfully His grace and beauty still shine in our midst. I can see much is learned both in affliction and in blessings. Muggeridge said about suffering
"everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained. In other words, if it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or other medical mumbo jumbo....the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal or trivial to be endurable."
On the other hand Piper says:
The sunbeams of blessing in our lives are bright in and of themselves. They also give light to the ground where we walk. But there is a higher purpose for these blessings. God means for us to do more than stand outside them and admire them for what they are. Even more, he means for us to walk into them and see the sun from which they come. If the beams are beautiful, the sun is even more beautiful. God's aim is not that we merely admire his gifts, but, even more, his glory."
This makes me think of Romans 8 : 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 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 firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies"
Sin has affected all of creation....but thankfully His grace and beauty still shine in our midst. I can see much is learned both in affliction and in blessings. Muggeridge said about suffering
"everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained. In other words, if it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or other medical mumbo jumbo....the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal or trivial to be endurable."
On the other hand Piper says:
The sunbeams of blessing in our lives are bright in and of themselves. They also give light to the ground where we walk. But there is a higher purpose for these blessings. God means for us to do more than stand outside them and admire them for what they are. Even more, he means for us to walk into them and see the sun from which they come. If the beams are beautiful, the sun is even more beautiful. God's aim is not that we merely admire his gifts, but, even more, his glory."
I thank him for both the beauty and glory and the suffering and hardship---both teach me much--but what inward pain and a sense of that groaning of creation to be delivered as Romans says.
(picture by flickr)
Thank you Nanny Kim..your post rings so real and true to me..
ReplyDeleteblessings..Deena
Thank you for the great post. Also thank you for the nice comment on my blog today. I feel so much better and I had a great day. It is just weird when you get hit with a wave of sadness when you don't expect it. I like your thought that perhaps it is the Lord saying come to me, lean on me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great Monday!
:0) Sharon
Thank-you Nanny. I always enjoy your post even if I don't always leave a comment.
ReplyDeleteginger