Romans 8:22-25 (The Message)
"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....We are enlarged in the waiting....The longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy."
Thank you, Eugene Peterson, for making this passage slightly easier to understand! Even the Good News Bible seemed convoluted. "The Spirit of God is arousing us within." (vs. 23) I like this verse! We are all in a pregnancy of Hope - our hope in the complete fullness of life in Christ, our hope for a God-filled life in the present, and the promise of an intimate life in the direct presence of the Creator for all eternity. We can endure the hardships and pains of our pregnancy because we anticipate the absolute joy with which we shall welcome our delivery into the hands of God. We are "swelling larger and larger as the power of the Spirit grows within us." (d365.org) Somehow, linking the trials and struggles of discipleship with the pains of pregnancy makes it so clear! The anticipated joys of birth overwhelm all the pain. Just ask a new mother.
People treat a pregnant woman differently - with more respect and love. What if we were to view each person we meet as pregnant...with the Spirit? Would that change how we treat them?
Let us live in joyful hope and anticipation of the Spirit growing within us! All Creation is pregnant! Come, Spirit, Come!
These comments are from Jim Kauth. I'm just keeping them 'with the blog'!
ReplyDelete"What if we were to view each person we meet as pregnant...with the Spirit?" Pregnant with the SPIRIT!!!! I love this phrase, it sure brings new meaning to sympathetic pregnancy pains. "All around us we observe a pregnant creation.", "We are enlarged in the waiting", I've read a number of Eugene Peterson's writings, he has a gift that gives us a clearer understanding of God's Word. The written Word along with this visual narrative (drawing) is symbolic language and conveys God's intended understanding more thoroughly that just words or just a picture. Ezekiel used physical models as part of his teaching aids to clearly communicate God's Will and Word. I think you are walking in Ezekiel's footsteps, (don't feel the PRESSURE!!!!).
Well done good and faithful servant.
Jim