^{THE MESSAGE; Romans8: 22-25}All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
One of my favorite things to do is read the "Wonderful World" section on MSNbc.com. But oddly, I also end up reading the Crime and Courts section also, and very quickly my happy mood becomes sour and bitter at ignorant, selfish, lowly people. I'm just like WHYYYYYYY!????? It's liks sack cloth and ashes, if yaknowwhudamean. It's everywhere- on the news, on the radio, online, worldwide. But ya know, my anxiety doesn't last very long because the story doesnt end there. We, as the body of Christ, have hope. We can have hope, because our God is one that is worthy of our trust. In everything in this life, our Father is the only one we can be expectant of- not in how He will work, but in Him as He is. He is greater than all the disasters, terrorism, war, hatred, greed and unnecessary death in the world- they are "birth pangs." Though painful, something good is to come- He has promised to deliver. His Son even conquered death- the physical and spiritual- I dont think it gets much more awesome than that. So as we wait for that day, let's not wait with weak hearts but with hearts looking beyond the pain.