Creation Groans, Creation Waits

I was going to take a break from posting while I was in LA. I'm here on a visit with my family, but the news is just too compelling not to talk about what has been going on...

I arrived in Southern California on Thursday evening. My two sisters and mom met me at the Long Beach airport. We grabbed some dinner on the way to Karin's. Our chatter and laughter was nonstop while we ate and enjoyed each other's company. The rest of the family met us at Karin's house. I was introduced to Ethan, Karin's first grandchild. Got to hold, feed, burp, and kiss him! Such a sweet boy... More laughter as we all visited. The next day was a work day for most. We said our goodnights as everyone headed for home. My brother sent Karin a text after he and my sister-in-law got home. Japan had just had a big earthquake. Karin turned on the news but I was tired so I headed off to bed.  As I was drifting off to sleep Karin called to me, "Kathy, you need to see this..." What I witnessed next left me literally jaw-dropping speechless - massive walls of water swallowing everything its path. You immediately knew life was being snuffed out. The images of it's destruction streamed across the screen. We pretty much watched in stunned silence, with the occasional gasp escaping from our lips as we watched the devastation unfold. Three days later we are still getting new video and images. The earthquake has been upgraded to a 9 and nuclear disaster now looms in front of us. This story is not over, and it has been heartbreaking.

Romans 8 tells us that creation groans under the curse of sin. The created universe is in a corrupted condition as a result of the Fall.  Earthquakes and tsunamis are a result of sin.  We too groan under the weight of sin. Physically, as our bodies await their redemption, we battle disease and sickness.  Because of sin, we die.  We also groan emotionally as we watch tragedies like the one that is unfolding in Japan.  We agonize at times over the devastating consequences of sin.  Paul said that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth.  Pains of childbirth signify that new life is on its way.  Pains of childbirth get stronger and harder and fiercer as new life approaches.  As we get closer to the return of Christ, the pains are going to get stronger and harder and fiercer.  The earthquakes, the wars and rumors of wars, the false Christs are the beginning birth pains and like birth pains they are going to increase.  The hard labor of great persecution against God's elect will follow after Antichrist is revealed, setting himself up as God in a rebuilt temple.  But praise God, at the return of Christ, creation will be set free from its slavery when all believers are ultimately delivered from sin.  Right now we have the first fruits of the Spirit.  At the return of Christ we will then begin to eternally share in God's glory.  The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with Christ's glory that will be revealed in us.  The suffering and heartache and agonizing over the consequences of sin is going to come to an end...but in the mean time, God is causing all things to work for the benefit of His beloved elect. 

This weekend my mom, sisters, sisters-in-law, and I were up at Lake Arrowhead.  We had a great time and there was laughter.  I know more times of sorrowing over the affects of sin are coming, but enjoy the precious times God gives you with your family.