Great groaning. Massive love.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:18-27

This is a deep mystery and revelation. How do we come to understand these massive concepts? Yet, within our created eternal souls we “know” and yearn… eagerly waiting for the redemption of our bodies which suffer under the ‘pains of childbirth’ along with all of creation for the “hope” Jesus has brought to us all. Our bodies are still subject to death / decay / and destruction. To maintain these failing bodies takes more and more effort on our part. This process for those whose hope is in the Lord Jesus, feel it more and more with each passing day and year, as death takes hold of our physical elements. Hope. That seemingly fleeting feeling must become more than a feeling …  but become more and more of a ‘knowing’. This hope Jesus has secured for us must become tightly gripped and held onto with all of our strength, mind, and heart. We must remind ourselves more and more of our assured hope in Jesus. This is our challenge to persevere … when the circumstances of this life swirl dangerously around us … to place our focus and hope in Him.

Can you always express in words what your soul agonizes in? I can’t. Sometimes only in prayer – in a language only known by the Spirit of God – with tears and great anguish – I pour it all out before Him. How big is our soul? How do we express the inexpressible? How do we really know what depths our souls are really contending with? Oh the love of the Holy Spirit towards us – in that He intercedes FOR US and with us! It is a strange thing to ponder and know that the Spirit of God groans for us!!?? Do we have any clue how much He loves us? I still am marveling how much He loves me. Why? I still seem to miss the mark way more than I can count. I still struggle with and in this body of… flesh. And yet… in ALL of my weaknesses… He loves me… still.

Father… we cry out to YOU! Jesus… YOU are everything to me! Thank YOU… Holy Spirit for interceding for me so passionately! YOUR love is an ever-expanding mystery to me. Who can ever know the depths of YOUR love?