hope of glory.

Aching right now for a place I've never been before.  My home church supports an orphanage in Haiti, an opportunity that has been used by the Lord as a blessing to many.  But, because of circumstantial issues surrounding the orphanage right now, I am reminded of the depth of human depravity, of the far-reaching effects of sin and brokenness in this world.  It breaks my heart.


But light does shine through darkness.  God is there in the midst of the broken.  I see it in several ways, but the most powerful to me is the image of my dad and other members of the LCF body loving these children.  My father, the man who has been by my side since I took my first breath and loved me and taught me and helped me grow, has several other children.  Beautiful Haitian children.  Because as we have received the spirit of adoption as sons (Romans 8:15), we all become family under One name. We should take great pleasure in loving and caring for brothers and sisters and widows and children in Christ.  We are told in James 1:27 that, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."  God cares deeply for the poor and oppressed.  He hates injustice, He hates sin and its painful out-workings in this world.  And as His children, we are called to love those who are also called His.  


The darkness has not and will not overcome.  And though suffering does exist, the Lord is still magnifying His name through the pouring out of His love on His people, to give to those in need.  Not only do we have these glimpses of light, but we also have the hope of future glory.


"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. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."
Romans 8:18-25