A groaning creation
Peter Neilson
July 14, 2022
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Romans 8: 18-30 (NRSVA)
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Oceans suffocated by plastic
Groaning to be free.
God of creation,
we join their lament.
Trees coughing alongside motorways
Groaning to be free.
God of creation,
we join their lament.
Glaciers melting with tears
Groaning to be free.
God of creation
we join their lament.
Islands slipping beneath rising waves
Groaning to be free.
God of creation,
we join their lament.
God, our Creator,
Who gives us responsibility
For this beautiful planet
Forgive our selfish, unthinking ways
Poisoning the ground beneath our feet.
Christ, our Redeemer,
Free us from our foolishness
With a new sense of wonder
And a new desire to tread carefully
On this precious earth today. Amen.
For our July theme In Good Time we are revisiting past weeks of Daily Worship. Our writers this month are taking us back in time as we meditate on time itself! The piece above originally came from 2017.
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