"The Coming Glory"--Romans 8:18-30

A "hope-filled perspective and a spirit-filled passion": these concepts are the theme of our scripture passage this week (Romans 8: 18-30). In today's lesson, we looked at examples of a hope-filled perspective and a spirit-filled passion. Bono, for example, could be considered a person with a spirit-filled passion. He has contributed significantly to the effort to make people aware of the human tragedy that is occurring in Africa. He has worked tirelessly to pressure western governments to provide support for the countries of Africa where abject poverty, a runaway pandemic of AIDS, and government corruption are prevalent. As a result of Bono's commitment and dedication toward bringing about change in Africa, he was named as the TIME MAGAZINE "Person of the Year" in 2005. During one of his speeches, Bono paused and addressed the believers in the room. He asked, "Any believers out there?" And then he exhorted, "For the believers in the room, we should see Africa as an issue of obedience." He continued, "God is with the poor, and He has a special place for them in His heart." And then he exclaimed, "God is with us if we are with them." Bono has a spirit-filled passion. How about you? Is there something in your life that could be described as a "spirit-filled passion"?

As we considered a hope-filled perspective, we talked about the movie "Saint Ralph" in which an unlikely young boy contended to win the Boston Marathon. When Ralph is told that his comatose mother won't recover without a miracle, he decides to create one--by setting out to win the Boston Marathon. Little does he know, he's in for the run of his life. Here are some questions to consider when faced with challenges such as the one that faced Ralph:
* Do you ever feel it's all for naught--that it all went wrong?
* Do you ever feel helpless, hopeless, especially when life doesn't go your way?
* Have you ever had a dream vanish before your watching eyes?
* Have you ever hoped and prayed for a miracle that never came?
* Have you ever failed so badly that you thought it could never be turned into anything good?
* Have you ever wondered if there is any good purpose to suffering and loss?
* Have you ever done your best and done most everything right, only for it all to go wrong?
* To whom do you turn in the midst of such pain, disappointment, fear, suffering, and loss?
* Do you believe in a God who can and does redeem?

In today's scripture passage, Paul addresses these implicit questions. We can indeed view our life and our world with a hope-filled perspective.

Romans 8:28 provides a promise that brings this hope-filled perspective:
"And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Bo Miles shared that he has written beside these verses in his Bible, "9-11". Do you remember the fear and despair that we all experienced on 9-11-2001 and the days immediately after 9-11? What a frightening, difficult time for all Americans. Yet, God's children still had this promise in Romans, God causes ALL things to work together for our good. Somehow, someday, someway the tragic events of 9-11 would be used to work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to His purpose. We can't help but experience a hope-filled perspective when we meditate on this promise of God.

We also can take comfort in the promise of verses 26-27 in today's passage. Isn't it comforting to know that the Holy Spirit is interceding for you according to the will of God? It gives me great courage and confidence to know that the Holy Spirit Himself is interceding before God on my behalf and even though I may not know the right thing to pray for, I can be assured that the Holy Spirit is interceding for me according to God's will for my life. Amen and Amen.

As you approach the week before you, I hope you will view your world with a hope-filled perspective and that you will develop a spirit-filled passion for the things that God reveals to you.