A biblical perspective on high temperatures and widespread suffering
By Dean Collins
I grew up in Tampa Florida, and summers were always hot! I worked a summer in Cocoa Beach, also hot, but there was the ocean to cool off. I worked for six months in Melbourne, Florida, and it was hot as well. As an adult, I have lived back and forth between Georgia and Alabama and currently live and work on the line between the two states. And I have spent time in Houston and Phoenix where it gets exceptionally hot.
Every year we act surprised by how hot it is in the summer. We get spoiled by the fall, winter, and spring weather, and then comes the sweat fest of summer. But this year everyone is talking about the unusual temperatures. The ocean is warmer. The news media is reporting on the extreme heat, not just in the South but virtually everywhere. Regardless of your political views, it is hard to deny that something is in fact going on with our climate.
Possible explanation
I am not a scientist and won’t even attempt to offer an opinion on global warming from a scientific standpoint. But we might consider Paul’s words in Romans chapter 8 as a possible explanation of what is going on across the globe:
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 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 corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Paul explains that the fall of man in the Garden of Eden created havoc and suffering, not just for us physically but for all of creation. God’s redemptive plan through Christ brings not only forgiveness for our sins but also launches a path to restoration for all that was broken by man’s sin. While we might argue about what things we all do or don’t do currently that add to the destruction of our planet, from the Scripture we know that man’s sin in the Garden broke not just our relationship with God but all of creation’s relationship with God. The good news is that Jesus has redeemed it all and will one day restore it all.
Cascading impact
Our theology gives us an explanation for the suffering we experience in our lives. We tend to accept that germs, disease, and pestilence entered the world at the fall of man. But for some reason, we have struggled to understand the cascading impact on all the world and our ministry, not only to share the good news of God’s love for people but also for all creation.
We believe that one day Jesus will return and when he comes we will live eternally in his presence. We believe that whatever we suffer personally here on earth will be minuscule compared to the glory of God we will experience through our resurrected bodies forever. Paul is telling us that everything true about our suffering and restoration is true for all of God’s creation, including our beloved but broken planet Earth.
Temporary suffering
I don’t have all the answers for what is happening to Earth, but Paul’s words in Romans remind us that our suffering and the suffering of all creation is temporary. Paul describes our groaning and Earth’s groaning as something similar to the groaning that takes place just before a baby is delivered. The pains of childbirth bring new life. God has given us life in Christ, and we along with all creation work and wait for the full redemption and restoration of our bodies and all of God’s creation. Paul is clear that we can’t see it now, but we wait patiently and full of hope because we know God keeps every promise and he will not disappoint us when he returns.
As Paul continues his description of God’s work of restoration, he tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf as we suffer in the here and now and that nothing can ever separate us from God’s amazing love.
Nothing can ever separate us from God’s amazing love.
Yes, our suffering is hard. Yes, the heat is intense and crops, animals, and the whole Earth seem to suffer at times right along with us. But the good news of Jesus gives us hope because we have a promise that God gets us from here to a place of complete transformation and restoration and will never depart from our side as we walk through our current situation.
Lord, we confess we struggle to fully understand the brokenness of man and of all of your creation, but we trust your Word and all of its promises. We surrender our suffering and the suffering of the world into your hands. Give us wisdom and strength as we move forward trusting you for complete healing and restoration of all things. Help us to see and know that you will never leave us or forsake us but will be with us every day. Even as our bodies grow old and struggle with health issues, remind us that our souls live on and our bodies will be fully restored just as you will restore all of your creation. We praise you and wait for the glory that we will one day behold. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Romans 8:18-39
Photo by Xurzon on stockphoto.com
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