For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Rom 8:19 (NIV)

Creation Eagerly Waits – Part 3

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The created world: our unspoken benefactors; silent partners; witnesses to all that befalls us.

Is it aware of our struggles? Does it hope we get by or does it plot our demise? Are the trees really alive like in “Lord of the Rings” and are they eager to help us on our journey? Or does the fire swamp found in the Princess Bride’s realm long to lure us into its evil snares?

“The very stones [will] break forth with praises” if we keep silent, said Jesus.

And perhaps they do.

God said, “let there be light”… And from that moment ‘light’ was witness to all of God’s creative acts. As each element and creature were made, they watched on to see what God would create next.

Then the moment came. All of creation held its breath and gazed upon God’s masterpiece. It watched in awe as He breathed into the lump of clay, igniting life within. Ever since that day, creation has seen it all. It watched as Abraham left his tribe to start anew. It saw the Israelites cross the Red Sea unharmed. It rejoiced as Mary gave birth to Jesus, and then prayed in silence as He was crucified… It continually beckons to us to see the glory and wonder of God painted across it, in it and through it. And it too, like us, waits for the day of its eternal renewal, its rebirth, with “Eager expectation.” (Rom 8:19 NIV).

“Eager expectation” reminds me of Christmas Eve, or the day you find out you're pregnant (or decide you want to be). It’s the hope that something that is now a long way off will one day come to pass. It's waiting with ‘pronounced anticipation and perseverance.’ It comes from three Greek words which translate to: from, head, and to watch. It’s the concept of watching with the head upright and at attention, leaning forward to get a first glimpse of something anticipated. Like a guard on watch or look-out.

Creation: the guardians of our stories, witnesses to the wonder and glory of God, wait for us as a guard on watch, to see what it has seen and to know what it knows. Creation testifies to the existence and essence of the Divine.

As the sun rises in the sky, it looks to the day with hope and expectation, pregnant with purpose and vision. Then, as it sets, the moon rises and twilight covers the world with wisdom and rest, settling down for the night, reading stories to children and filling our hearts and minds with dreams…

Although creation waits with eager expectation, it is patient. It walks its journey day in, day out, living out of both ease and rest, and anticipation and perseverance.

We can follow creation's lead… eagerly wait with patience and hopeful expectation. Trusting that as we daily witness more and more grace, more and more of the Divine at work, we step ever closer to the mysterious truth that sits just beyond the edge of comprehension.

All will be revealed. In time.

Until then, lend your ear and your heart to the age old witnesses of all that has gone before us. You never know what stories they may tell of God’s greatness.

Go to Part 4 – Redemption Story »