The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! 20 For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, 21 all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children. 22 To this day we are aware of the universal agony and groaning of creation, as if it were in the contractions of labor for childbirth. 23 And it’s not just creation. We who have already experienced the first-fruits of the Spirit also inwardly groan as we passionately long to experience our full status as God’s sons and daughters—including our physical bodies being transformed.” (Romans 8 TPT)
I love The Passion Translation’s imagery of these verses – THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of god’s glorious children! It reminds me once again how humanity is God’s crowning creation. The last and most glorious thing God created was humankind, and He made us in His own image and give us dominion over the rest of His creation. You know how the rest of the story goes, Adam chose to obey another master and Satan took the keys. All of creation and all of mankind fell into sin and judgment and death. Today the natural world is still beautiful to behold – go out and hike a forest or stand on the ocean shores. Look up at the snow-capped mountains or glide your hands over the golden tips of wheat growing as far as the eye can see. Drive a few hours away from civilization and look up at the stars on a clear night and be blown away by the sheer magnitude of what God has created… And try to imagine how incredible all of this must have been BEFORE the fall? And yet we can hear the groans, can’t we? The groans of creation in decay. The groans of civilization in pain. Especially in this season, there seems to be a chorus of pain echoing across the globe.
What is the world waiting for? Anxiously longing for? Straining to see and experience? They long for the children of God to be revealed. The Greek word used for “revealed” also means to manifest, to unveil. How appropriate that we the church, His bride, shall one day be unveiled and join Jesus at the marriage supper! And yes, when that day arrives, and we are fully glorified and fully revealed there will be freedom and healing for his people, and for his creation, as it will be made anew. But I also believe this passage of scripture refers to us being revealed here and now, in this age. God wants us to bring his kingdom here, to manifest his kingdom in our lives and homes and spheres of influence. Jesus taught us to pray thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. But what does that mean, and what does it look like for God’s children to be revealed?
As we yield to God’s work in our lives, as we spend time with him in prayer sitting at his feet, as we spend time in His Word, and allow Him to transform us into the likeness of Jesus… We WILL be revealed as his sons and daughters. It is an inside-out job. It starts with a revelation of who Jesus is. And then the wonderful work of transformation begins. We find out who he is, we find out who we are, our minds are renewed, our hearts become his hearts. We are gifted with the precious Holy Spirit who teaches and guides and overflows. We are freed from bondage, wounded hearts healed, identities restored, and we begin to manifest his nature, his essence. It is so important to not shrink back from the sometimes-painful work of healing, to be open, and trust the God who promised to complete his good work in us. And what is his nature when it is expressed in his children? LOVE. Jesus said you will know his disciples by their love and their fruit (John 13:35, Matthew 7:16). The world will see Jesus in you and experience his love and the freedom that was purchased for them with His precious blood. “All creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children.” Freedom from sin and death. Freedom from addiction. Freedom from bondage. Freedom from racism and hatred. Freedom from every disease. He is wonderful freedom!
Ask God to meet you in the places of your heart or mind that may not yet be touched or transformed. Ask him to shine his light upon you and listen for his still small voice. Sometimes he speaks through those closest in our lives – I was recently challenged by a good friend who saw some things that I could not. And I am so thankful for that loving word. Let our heart’s cry be that of Psalm 139:23-34 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” Get in the secret place, grab hold of your salvation with both hands and see if you can fathom his love and grace without measure. Let your heavenly father pour a bedrock foundation of identity and purpose deep in your soul. Let him reveal the true authority that you possess as his child, an heir with Christ, and seated with Him in heavenly places. And then see what happens when every step you take is kingdom advancement. Your families, your friends, and co-workers, YOUR WORLD is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see God’s glorious child unveiled!
Blessings to you all,
Michael
