All this talk about waiting could have us fall back into a dark place where the Christian life seems to be just a gigantic game of surviving the wait, but it’s not. It’s about the HOPE we can and do experience while we wait for the Lord’s return.

Romans 8 helps us zoom out and see the much larger story. Earlier in the chapter Paul talks about suffering, groaning, adoption, and the future redemption of creation. It’s good for us to remember that even on the very best of days, this world is not yet what it will be … and neither are we.

This is why learning to wait well is an important part of the Christian experience.

It’s honestly one of the most difficult parts for some of us to grasp when coming to faith. We’ve seen God work in a miraculous way to save us, we know sin is defeated and death has lost its power. Yet, we also know we still live in a world marked by sorrow, weakness, and longing for something more. We’ve tasted the joy and sweetness of redemption, but we’ve not yet seen it in its fullness.

That’s where hope comes in!

Biblically rooted hope isn’t wishful thinking or platitudes. It’s not ‘good vibes’ or ‘sweet thoughts’. Hope founded on Jesus is confidence in a future God has already promised and assurance the One who promised has secured it in Christ.

When Jesus came as a baby, He proved that God keeps His promises and the resurrection was (and is) proof that death doesn’t have the final word. Since both of these are true, we can trust Him for the parts of the promise that remain unseen.

Paul admonishes us to wait patiently, not because he thinks waiting is easy, but because the future is certain!

One day we, and all creation, will be finally, once and for all, liberated and every lingering effect of sin will be undone. One day, the renewal God promised and has begun in us through the Son will be fully revealed. Until then, we follow Jesus by living in the tension of the already and the not yet.

Christian patience isn’t passive resignation to a future we can’t know. It’s active confidence rooted in the faithfulness of the King.

Which future promise of God most strengthens you in your current season of life? Resurrection? Eternity with Him?  How does Christ's resurrection and promise of a New Heaven and New Earth help you wait with patience?

Father, by nature, I’m not good at waiting. I tend to focus my hopes on things far to close to me and under my own control. I’m grateful my hope doesn’t rest in any of those things, but in what you’ve promised. Teach me to wait with patience and confidence as I look forward to the day Your complete your redemptive work in us all. Amen.