ROMANS 8:19

“For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God.”

I watched this movie recently about a young girl who ran cross country. She overcame some great obstacles, including battling asthma, to win a state championship. Even though that race is a long distance race, it was won at the very end by just inches as she fell forward across the finish line in front of the previous state champion runner. It was literally a photo finish.

Why do I bring that up? Because the Greek word used by Paul which is translated “eagerly” gives us that picture. It’s the word apokaradokía “(from apó, ‘away from’; kara, ‘the head’; and dokéō, ‘thinking’) – properly, thinking forward (literally with head out-stretched), referring to eager, intense expectation.” (HELPS Word-studies). The word is used twice (here in today’s verse and Philippians 1:20). Paul’s use of the word here shows his keen desire for us to see the future of our glorified bodies. He can hardly contain himself.

APPLICATION

In Philippians 1:20 Paul uses apokaradokía when he writes, “according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Not only do we see our glorified bodies being eagerly sought, but we also anticipate that our current bodies are a means in which Christ is exalted. Don’t you just love that? We are to be always eagerly anticipating Christ’s work in our lives, now and in the future.

Can you honestly say that you’re eagerly anticipating these things? We all look forward to heaven, but most of us are in no hurry to get there. The older I get, the more my head strains toward that finish line. Don’t get me wrong. I love my life and what Christ is doing in and through me. But I am more and more ready for that day when I will see my Savior face to face. How about you?

More importantly, though, I have to ask myself if I am as eager to see Christ exalted in my mortal flesh, this earthly body. Every day I should strain myself towards that goal so that I can draw others to Him. I have to admit that I don’t do that as often. My prayer for you and for me is that we will be so busy straining our heads to exalt Jesus that the coming glory we will experience will just be icing on the cake. Will you join me?

Lord, I am stretching forth to reach all that You have for me, both now and later.

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