The pain we endure in life hurts. Sometimes, our journey takes us through times of devastation and discouragement. The loss of a job, illness, relationship breakups, an unrealized dream, and death are just some of the adversities that can bring about “sufferings of this present time.” But for Christians, this one thing is sure: whatever we go through today will be eclipsed by the future glory that awaits the children of God. The present pain will not compare to the future glory.

Romans 8:18-23
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 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. 

In the spiritual life, there is this concept called “Already…not yet.” As children of God, we are “already” in. Our sin has been imputed to Christ, and he paid the penalty finally and fully on the cross. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We are free from sin’s rule in our lives. The sinful nature, while still present, has no domination over us. And best of all, we are who we are because of the work of God. My salvation, from the beginning to the end, does not depend on me—it is a gift of God. We are in…but “not yet.”

While our sinful nature does not rule us, it still rears its ugly head, knocks us off balance, and sometimes pulls us to the ground. We still live in a sinful world full of sickness, disease, tragedy, disaster, and death. Our bodies, corrupted by our sinful nature, are aging and dying. We are surrounded by temporal things that cause us to long for something real, eternal, and complete. C. S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Christians are made for another world, and it’s already ours…but not yet.

Father, in the midst of this temporal existence, keep us longing for the world we are made for. In Christ’s name. Amen.