Romans 8: Free Gift! Limited Time Offer!

^"22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as children, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Everyone likes receiving a great gift. The joy of receiving an amazing gift is amplified if we know we're aware ahead of time that we are going to get it. We may not know exactly what we're going to get, and we sometimes don't even know when we're going to get it... but the excitement bubbles up within us in anticipation of receiving it. Our imaginations run wild as we visualize what this gift could possibly be. Our fantasies ranging from the simple and practical to the outrageous and amazing! 

Then... the day finally arrives. We have the gift set lovingly before us. It's beautifully wrapped and topped with a love note. Gingerly, we unwrap the gift and take our first tentative glimpse inside the box...

It's amazing!! Beyond our expectations and wildest dreams! We could have never imagined a gift so perfect! So wonderful! We feel like laughing and crying at the same time! We just want to squeal with delight and hug anyone within arms reach! Thank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyou! Thank you sooo much!

Waiting to receive this gift wasn't always easy. We had times when we thought perhaps the gift wasn't worth all this time and effort. We even had times when we doubted we'd receive the gift at all. Maybe the gift was a giant farce. Perhaps it was all a scam. However, that little spark of hope was always smoldering within us... it kept us going through the tough times and made the day we opened the gift that much sweeter.

This, my friends, is what I've come to realize is the meaning of life. It's living in hope of that Gift. Once we are made aware that there is a Gift waiting for us (i.e. Eternal Life in Jesus), and accept the invitation to receive it... our lives are fueled by the hope and anticipation of receiving that Gift---guaranteed to be not only surpass, but obliterate our expectations of it. 

Our journey towards that Gift has small token gifts along the way. These tokens are meant to give us a preview of the Big Gift waiting for us. Tokens such as love, romance, joy, peace... our relationships with others, special moments, miracles... all of these things are so wonderful, and we are blessed to experience them in this life, but how overwhelming it is to think that these tokens pale in comparison to the real Gift awaiting us after this life!

Keep living in hope, fellow Stumblers. Hope is what gives you the strength to pick yourself up off the ground when you trip. Hope is what inspires you to walk confidently, even though the path is treacherous. Hope and wait patiently. Your perseverance will be rewarded. 

God,

I'm anxiously awaiting the Gift you have set aside for me. Don't let me forget about it. Don't let me lose hope of receiving it. Help me to stay on the right path, heading towards You, so that I can receive the Gift that has been promised to me.

Thank you,

-Me