Romans 8:20 For
the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him
who subjected it, in hope…
Vanity,
meaninglessness, purposelessness, emptiness, frailty, instability,
ineffectiveness…all possible translations of the Greek mataiotés
translated
futility in this passage of the ESV. Adam and Eve’s sin, the fall plunged
humankind into darkness. Sin’s consequence is death and destruction. It creates
a meaninglessness, futility, and emptiness in life. Sin is real, as you know
and it leaves the world frail. Futility equals a lack of hope, without reason
to hope, and hope is perhaps our greatest human need. Without God’s
intervention, by means of the curse, humankind would still be there, without
hope, trapped in meaninglessness.
God
had another plan. He always does…for our good. God transforms futility into
life filled with meaning and purpose. He subjects creation, all of creation to
the curse, for a purpose. We go kicking and screaming. We hate the results of
sin in the form of this curse. We despise hard labor and pains of childbearing
and the headship of the husband, while helpful, is a challenge for many a
household. God subjects us to the curse in order to save us. God created a
solution, so that we would not be lost forever in condemnation. The curse,
however difficult and seemingly harsh to the world, makes a way for redemption,
makes a way for Christ. The serpent nips at the heel, we feel it as sin in our
lives and in the world around us, but the Savior crushes his head. Christ’s
redemption makes even the things of the curse, good in this life.
Hard
labor, the work of the church, the work of running the home often seems
monotonous and futile in the daily living of life, but look around you. See
what God has done in your work, in your family. He makes the hard labor a thing
with purpose and meaning and beauty. Worth the toil. Mundane planning meals,
cleaning bathrooms, toiling over sermons, double checking bulletins, and
finding 30 minutes for exercise in a day become moments to proclaim hope and
community with the Father and one another, and purpose.
Submission
isn’t always easy, but we find the truth that it is always to our benefit.
God’s order, even in the curse mirrors our submission to our Savior as the head
of our families and our churches.
Hope
is what God gives us, even in the darkest moments, even in curses and
struggles. He has a plan and a purpose,
For I know the plans I have for
you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
