Emily Dickinson called hope “the thing with feathers.” Hope, said the poet, is like a tiny bird that sings despite the storm. In Romans 8, Paul described the groaning of creation. It is not a cry of despair but an expression of longing for transformation. This painful groaning is not just evidence that the world is broken, it is a promise of the liberation that is to come. Jesus told His disciples that while others faint with terror and grow apprehensive about “what is coming on the world,” their response should be different. In Christ, we have hope (Luke 21:26–28).

Troubles remind us to lean into the hope of Christ’s return. Like creation, we “groan,” eagerly awaiting the transformation He will bring (v. 23). The fact that the world seems to be falling apart does not erode our hope. Even when our circumstances appear dismal, we keep going because “hope that is seen is no hope at all” (v. 24). We should not expect life to be any different this side of the new creation. Likewise, we should not be surprised when we sometimes struggle with the collateral damage of sin in ourselves even after we have placed our faith in Christ. The final stage of our salvation experience will be “the redemption of our bodies” (v. 23).

Advent speaks of arrival, but until Christ comes again, we are in a season of waiting. This should not make us sad because waiting is a sign of hope. The apostle observes in verse 24: “Who hopes for what they already have?” Even though waiting is not comfortable, it is a manner of hope. Only those who hope to receive something are willing to wait. Hope warrants patience. The certainty of the Lord’s promise gives wings to our hope.

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