By: Juliet Constantine
 

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:22-25)

One of my biggest earthly dreams is to operate a Home for unwanted children. Although God lent me three biological children, it is my innate desire to operate a successful home for children, not a shelter, not fostering, but adoption of many children, raising them as my very own and providing a place they can call home in every sense of the word. There are many children who are eagerly waiting to be adopted. Many children go through foster care or places of safety still not connecting – the bond of parents and children, the love that pulls family together is missing. And so they hope, yet for some, this hope is never realized for the legal age of adulthood has arrived. They ‘missed the boat’.

But it will not be so for the children of God. We’ve already been adopted into God’s family. We are now sons and daughters of God, heirs according to the promise. But we wait, patiently for the day when Jesus will return to take us home. His promise is sure. He has gone to prepare a place for us and He will come again.

Sometimes, as we look on happenings around us, we wonder when Jesus will return. We are tired of the crime and violence, the selfishness that prevails, death, the struggle to survive. Toil and hardship have increased, immorality abounds and people have become so fierce – some even to the point of blasphemy. Sin has become so sinful and loathsome our hearts yearns for that day when it will all end. It will end. Jesus promised.

And so we wait, groaning yet waiting, working yet waiting, occupying yet waiting, witnessing while waiting because we know, it will be any day now. Jesus will come again and make all things new. Everything that hurts or annoys will soon be no more. Patiently we wait for our home where changes never come. Things will be better one day, not on this Earth, but in the recreated Earth. There is still hope.

Are you tired and just long for home? It won’t be long. Soon we’ll be leaving here. We’ll be going home. So count the years as months, count the months as weeks, count the weeks as days, any day now, we’ll be going home. Be faithful. It’s any day now.

Our Father and God, what would we do without Your promises to buoy our spirits up? We do thank You for Your words of comfort. Please strengthen us in our waiting for the complete fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to come back and take us home with Him. In His name we pray, amen.

 

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)