Hope that Waits

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ro 8:22-25). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

I am very often impossibly impatient. I hate to wait in lines, I hate to drive behind some little old lady who is not in the hurry that I am. After all I have places to go and things to do. My father when I was a teenager once caused me to miss three straight plane flights because he didn't want to waste time getting to the airport too early so we left like 30 minutes before the flight. Now that he is older and has more time he is now leaving hours before the flight. Go figure. It is really hard for me to just sit down, relax, read a book. I feel like I have to "do something".

So when the Bible tells me that our hope waits, that doesn't sit well with me. I have the American attitude that I want it now. But there is much going on heavenward that I have to wait for. And it painful. That is why we groan. Have you ever heard the groaning of the surf or the wailing of trees in the wind? All creation groans in a minor key. We live in a spoiled world that groans in its expectation of all that is to be revealed. We also hope for what we do not see and not what we already have. What we do not see requires faith. There is nothing I can do to earn what I cannot see. That is tough on the old ego. After all, I want it now - can't I just go through the drive thru of heaven and pick up my happy meal now?

What are we waiting for? The passage says we are waiting for the adoption as sons and the redemption of our bodies. We know we are already adopted when we accept Jesus as Savior. But this adoption is not complete until we are in the presence of the Father. That is why Romans 8:15 says we receive the Spirit of adoption. The Spirit is the deposit on this adoption . It is like when parents put a down payment on an adopted child in a foreign country. It is done, but parent has not been united with child. Second we receive the redemption of our bodies. As I get older, this becomes a lot more meaningful. I used to be able to get in shape quickly - each year it gets longer and longer. Things move and shift if you know what I mean. But my body will be transformed in an instant. It will be changed to forever worship Jesus with no limitations.

Everything that is good in life has a waiting period. A baby incubates for nine months. God didn't design it to just pop out. Here in NE Ohio we wait for the warmth of summer for it seems like forever. Our daughter was engaged for over a year and just got married and she was counting down the days. Our hope eagerly and patiently waits.