Mar 26 - "Why? Part 2"

Romans 8:12-27
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies."
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In today's reading, maybe we get a little answer to the question of "why?" posed yesterday. It's not a happy answer, but perhaps an answer, nonetheless.

At this time, our extended family is blessed with some babies on the way. Both my sister, Jessica, and my cousin, Kristen, are expecting little ones in the Fall. All of us are so excited!! For Kristen and Jessica, there is the forward-looking joy of these two babies coming into their lives, but they will not arrive without some pain. I won't ever pretend to profess to understand the pain which can be experienced while being in labor and then giving birth to a child, but I have to imagine it's not very pleasant, even with the modern gift of an epidural.

Would the joy of holding your newly born child in your arms be as sweet without the pain of childbirth? If your baby arrived in a neat little package via FedEx with an instruction manual, would you love him or her more?

I have found, through lots of trial and error, that the things in my life I value most, the treasures I hold dearest to my heart, took a LOT of work...and sometimes pain...to achieve or receive. Conversely, most often that thing which came easily has less value and is not as important to me. When the easy thing is lost, are we not less sad? Easy come, easy go.

I do believe we experience hardship, sadness, loss...the groaning of labor pains...as an integral part of the joy we will know later, after those things have gone. Maybe part of understanding the answer to yesterday's question of "why?" is not being focused on why God could choose to allow sin, evil and pain to exist in the world, but rather, looking to the end result of experiencing these things.

So, today, if you are experiencing pain, consider this: is there a greater joy this pain may bring later? Think about the hard work, anguish, consternation, frustration of a current situation. Is there a reward at the end? Maybe the joy or reward to come is yet to be revealed to you, but find comfort in the fact that God does not allow suffering in the world for it's own sake. Perhaps He allows us to experience all that life in this world has to offer...both pain and joy, for they are at times inexorably linked...in order that when we come to be with Him and His Son, the joy is that much sweeter.