Romans 8:18-25
What are the particular highlights or milestones of my life, including my life of faith?
Today I am profoundly moved by the words of Paul. “for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 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.” Connected to the idea of dominion from the creation narrative yesterday, I find myself sitting in the idea that creation morns for our loss because we have forgotten our part within the overall story.
In our Meeting or church we use a streaming service similar to Netflix but it streams bible studies and other Christian education videos. (www.rightnow.org) The past few weeks during our midweek meetings on Wednesday we have been watching and discussing the video series Drive Thru History. Yesderday we talked about the campaign of Alexander the Great, and how the unified language paved the way for the gospel to be spread centuries after. It is difficult to consider how our trials today may be worked into a larger story of creation but they very well could be. And to top that off even creation longs for the revealation of hope.
Where exactly do I fit in this story? How has the various trials of my life been used to shape my personality within this larger story? With billions of people walking the earth at this moment how can one life be significant? Every significant movement that changed the course of history began with one person living through their life. Every major event in history was connected to countless other lives that struggled through various trials to come to a point where that one person was prepared to move entire people groups forward into the vailed future. Who would have known that the lives of twelve men in Judea would have ushered in a movement if global proportions? And where would we be if those twelve men were not encouraged by generations of history and family?
This encourages me to some degree. My personal call or vocation may seem insignificant to the larger story. Yet my obedience within my own calling may be connected to something much larger, something that may usher in a significant shift within human history that will bring all of creation back to its intended purpose.
What are some of the things in my history that have moved me? The largest is the death of my sister, the birth of both of my children, a trip to Ukraine, my marriage, and assisting in the leadership of a youth group. Then there are little things that have huge impact like reading a particular book at a particular time, writing a paper in during college, and a simple walk along a mountain path. Everything shapes who I have become and they are connected to nature and other people in some manner. Our lives are important, even if they do not seem to be. They are working together with all of creation to bring about greater glory and hope through Jesus.
Discussion
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