This morning, I was reading in Romans 8 – words so fitting for the moment we find ourselves in. Romans 8 begins by telling us that in Christ we are set free from the law of sin and death. Sin and death are still very real; sadly, this is all too obvious. But for the follower of Jesus, sin and death are not our ultimate destiny.

But there’s more, for what is true for us as creatures, is also true for all of creation. In verses 19 & following, Paul talks about creation eagerly and expectantly awaiting our redemption. But it’s not just ours; creation is desperate for its freedom, too. In verse 21, Paul makes clear that our freedom is creation’s freedom; that God’s redemptive purposes are not individualistic; they cover all that He has made.

I find these words immensely hopeful, in a time that feels hopeless to so many. Even as many groan for more – for things to be what they are meant to be – Paul says that creation cries out, too. It was groaning in his day, and the groaning continues, 2000 years later – for healing, for wholeness, for hope.

The promise of scripture – the promise of God – is that our groanings have an answer. That answer is found in the redemptive work of Jesus – a work that restores lives, families, communities, and reaches into every corner of creation. It’s a work we’re called to be a part of now. As believers, we must work for the new day we believe is coming – even as we, along with all of creation, lament all the ways it is not yet a reality.

For this is what Hope looks like: holding fast to what will come, while working to live that reality now. Knowing what God will do, Hope does the hard work of shining the light of God’s redemption now – even as we long for it to come, completely and forever.

And the promise we have, is that one day, it will. Even so, Lord Jesus, come!