Cosmic Redemption

"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 decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21)

At first glance, all appears well in this shot of a potato field just outside Odessa. But the truth is, Southern Ukraine is suffering from an unusual early-season drought after more than a month without rain. Without a good soaking very soon, much of this region's crops will be destroyed with dire consequences for a large percentage of these people who are economically strapped to begin with.

Tonight I took a twenty minute walk from our apartment to participate in a home worship service with a group of missionaries from our denomination (Presbyterian Church in America). These devoted servants have been bringing hope to the suffering people of Ukraine ever since the fall of communism and it was pure joy to be in their midst.

The sermon was a John Piper recording, and I can't think of a better preacher to hear from, just two days before I become a father to two Russian-speaking teenage girls! Piper called the verses from Romans cited above as some of the most important in the Bible for a Christian to grasp. He stressed the fact that the Bible teaches that "All of life is disordered."

It is so hard to come to Ukraine and not keep asking yourself, and God, "why, why, why?" The truth is, ever since the fall, sin has permeated all of nature! Everything from the drought to the litter of puppies I saw today on the side of busy street, nursing on top of a trash heap.

The hard part is that Paul says our God allowed it all to occur "in hope that the creation itself will be set free...and obtain the freedom of the glory of God." That freedom can be obtained by any of God's broken people as demonstrated throughout the Bible and history.

I've never forgotten a sermon by Tim Keller pointing out the fact that Matthew saw fit to include the names of women (something that was never done by Jewish scribes) in the geneology which begins his gospel story. Among them are Rahab (a prostitute) and the "wife" of Uriah (an adulteress). That geneology happens to be the geneology of Christ, so these "unclean" women are direct descendents of our Lord and Savior!

We are all broken people living in a terribly broken world and the weight of that truth has hit me hard in recent days, seeing these hurting children, and projecting about the challenges that lie ahead for me and my family. I confess to being more than a little frightened by everything that could go wrong.

What a blessing it was tonight to put this in its proper perspective. God created the world and permitted the fall of all creation, but by His grace has given us hope in His promised redemption of the entire cosmos through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer Request: Rain is forecast for Tuesday and they need it desperately. Also, I just learned we could go to court Monday afternoon to finalize the adoption, followed of course by the ten day waiting period. Please pray for all to go smoothly.