Romans 8:15-17
This resurrection life you received
from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously
expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s
Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who
he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are
going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go
through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard
times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times
with him!
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Last night was the final
session of our church’s Vacation Bible School for this year. The kids
had a wonderful time, but I have to say…we were all glad that VBS is
over. Coupled with daily swim lessons, I think we were all pretty
weary. Greg counted yesterday and determined that for the last several
days, the children have been buckled in and out of the car at least six
times a day! And I counted up at least 4 daily wardrobe changes for three
kids plus myself! It’s July…and we have heat indexes over 100 degrees,
which adds to the overall fatigue. Last night during Timothy’s crafts
rotation at VBS, he told me, “Aunt Debbie, I have to tell you
something…we played ‘Freeze Tag’ – and I’m exhausted!”
Today as
we headed home from swim lessons, I reminded the kids, “Just one more
day this week, and then we get a break.” There is light at the end of
this tunnel, but we have journeyed far this last five days/nights. The
children learned important Bible lessons…and their swimming skills are
improving every day. But the schedule has been a bit much at times.
And sometimes, we’ve kept them going with promises of a prize at the
end…ice cream after a nap, suckers after swim lessons…or a chance to
choose a new toy at the end of the week. There have been some tears and a
tantrum or two…and the kids have been grumpy as well (just kidding!).
But we are surviving, and the week is almost over.
In this
scripture passage, Paul is comparing our Christian faith to that of a
“Father/child relationship” in which we anticipate what is next with
God…what lies ahead with our Heavenly Father. But in the meantime, we
probably will have to go through some “stuff.” We will face challenges,
temptations, and even hardships, sadness and disappointments. But it
won’t be anything that Jesus didn’t endure. And even more importantly,
we won’t go through anything on this earth without Jesus right there
with us – at least we don’t have to!
For those of us who have
surrendered fully to Christ…confessed our sins and given Him authority
over our lives, we have gained a “Forever Friend.” Those of us who have
invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts never go through
anything alone…no matter how empty or frustrated we might feel at any
particular moment. We are promised an unbelievable inheritance…but also
a never-ending companionship.
I don’t know about you, but this
keeps me going, to a large degree. I know that God won’t ask me to
handle anything by myself…and I truly do believe that His rewards – both
in the short and long term – will make it all worthwhile.
Like
children who cling to the prizes – both big and little – we cling to
hope in Jesus Christ…and His promises that an unbelievable inheritance
awaits us someday. Meanwhile, we trust in Him to give us hope and
encouragement…and an occasional nap doesn’t hurt, either! My prayer is
that you feel God’s presence, promises, and peace this day…and in those
to come.
©2015 Debbie Robus
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