For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:22-23

After starting out at the gym and completing a couple of early morning tasks, I stopped by to play some pickleball this morning at a park near our home. Between games, a man a few years my senior commented that playing in 50 degree weather was better than sitting home, watching tv and waiting to die.

It’s an interesting comment, don’t you think.

The fact is that no matter what stage of life we are in today, we are working toward the days when we aren’t able to do some of the things we could do when we were younger. At one point or another, our bodies don’t heal as fast as they used to do and so recovery takes a little longer.

In the passage above, Paul mentions the groaning experienced by al creation, but for the Christian there is great hope as “we wait eagerly for…the redemption of our bodies.

Remember this today and be encouraged that our “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11)

Now, how can we share this hope with the people we will encounter today?