I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
Paul writes in our readings today that all of creation waits in "eager expectation". I wonder how this would have been written if woman had written this letter? I'm not saying that Paul's writing or theology was off. Perhaps in the "comfortable" parts of the West we don't really get it.
For an average African woman, waiting in expectation is difficult. We've been lulled by sonograms, 3-d sonograms, fetal heart-rate monitors, non-stress tests...the list goes on. The majority of western waiting is wondering if the child will be a boy or a girl...that is unless we peeked or asked what parts were seen in the sonogram.
No, carrying a baby is a mix of pain, excitement, joy and nervousness all of which is quickly absorbed as soon as the child is held by the mom. I bet the same will be true for God. When he finally holds us all who have been through the pain of being birthed in this sinful world, will he forget the pain he had when we walked away?
Do you wait with groans? Or are you lulled? Are you happy with this life, or are you waiting for the New Heaven and the New Earth?
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