T H E O P H I L U S

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groaninwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:22-25

Reflecting on today passage fills me with a profound sense of connection to the shared experiences of life’s trials and tribulations. It brings to mind the intense labor pains my mother must have endured when bringing my sister and I into this world, and it humbles me as I consider what my dear wife Jini went through during the birth of our son, Leonard. I recall my own encounter with excruciating pain from kidney stones—a pain so overwhelming that it made me feel utterly helpless, stripping away all semblance of control and decorum.

I remember vividly the desperation I felt one evening, just weeks before Christmas, as I stumbled into the emergency room. Collapsing into a chair, I cried out in agony, the pain of the kidney stones consuming me. The nurses rushed over, their faces etched with concern, asking, “What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” And through my pain, I managed to exclaim, “WHAT DO YOU THINK!?” At that moment, seriousness pervaded my tone until relief came in the form of Toradol, which eased my suffering. Oh, how I wished for a reset button to turn off all the pain. How I wish I could take back responding to the nurses who must endure so much stress all day and night without much gratitude from patients such as myself. 

There are indeed moments in life when we long for such a simple solution—to pull the plug, flip the switch, end the suffering, and move forward. But often, the path isn’t straightforward, and the pain seems too much to bear.

Yet, the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:22 that the whole creation groans in labor pains, signifying not only suffering but also the anticipation of new life, of hope. Sometimes, the pain of today feels unbearable, making it challenging to maintain hope for tomorrow.

God doesn’t promise us absence of pain in this life; rather, He offers us the means, the reason, the purpose, and the hope to live through today and into tomorrow—even if the agony persists until we are called home to be with the Lord. We hold onto hope for tomorrow because we know our Heavenly Father. We anticipate our inheritance, brimming with joy and grace. We endure today and embrace tomorrow not because of what is visible or already in our grasp, but because we await something far greater than anything this earth can offer.

This hope is worthwhile, steadfast, and assured, sealed by Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and His glorious resurrection for you and I.