Ready for Restoration

Some I days I get so overwhelmed with poverty and illness and sin. The effects are so widespread, the roots so deep. And on those days, all I want is for Jesus to come back, restore & redeem, make everything good and whole again.

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us." (Rom. 8:18-23)

Little girls get sick, fathers leave to "find work" while their families starve, old men give up when the medicine doesn't help so they come home to die, no jobs are available, families struggle to make ends meet, children go hungry. My heart breaks. I echo the cry in Revelation, "Come, Lord Jesus!" Come. Now. But on days like yesterday when I went to Caranday, He gently reminds me: "Daughter, I can't come back yet. They're not ready." Indeed. There are so many around the world who have yet to hear the Truth that Christ came to save us, to restore and redeem. And so many more who have heard but have not yet understood and put their faith in him. Until they realize that Jesus is everything, the gospel will not be good news, it will not penetrate their hearts. Until they understand and experience who God really is, they will continue to equate Him with religion & idolatry, and faith with good works. But here is hope: "The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." (2 Peter 3:9) And so we the church are called to be light, to go into the dark places and share the hope we have in Christ and the promise of restoration, redemption, reconciliation. To demonstrate the love and grace of God in word and action. We hold fast to the hope we have in Him and we do not lose heart, for He who promises is faithful.

And on days like yesterday, when we feel the weight of this fallen world, He graciously sends us reminders that He is at work--redeeming, restoring, and reconciling His people and His creation to Himself...

friends who love Jesus and share my heart to teach others His Truth

smiles

parents who love and care for their children

Omar--full of joy and growing stronger