Bishop N. T. Wright of Durham has written, “The whole point of what -Jesus was up to was that he was doing close up, in the present, what he was promising long-term in the future. And what he was promising for that future and doing in the present was not saving souls for a disembodied eternity but rescuing -people from the corruption and decay of the way the world presently is so they could enjoy, already in the present, that renewal of creation which is God’s ultimate purpose — ​and so they could thus become colleagues and partners in that large project.” (www.commonprayer.net)

I’ve enjoyed reading Common Prayer devotionally in the mornings as of late and today, this quote was the teaching quote of the day. I’ve grown to appreciate Wright’s perspective on a lot of things and appreciate how his writings have challenged me. This particular point (in today’s quote) is especially helpful when I consider hope and new life. It expresses a true hope for today, an awareness for the Kingdom of God being expressed by Jesus today and for tomorrow. It also helps me see an awareness that hope is built upon God renewing and restoring all creation, how ever mysteriously that may happen. So, even when I pass, I shall be in the presence of God and shall even then wait for God to complete his restoration.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 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. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:18-25 ESV)