Live on Tiptoe, Nevertheless!

This is a despairing time. Political rancor, economic fluctuation, and mounting violence weigh heavily, pulling us down. There’s not a lot to encourage us as we continue into a new year. 

Yet, God’s bias is a forward-look. Whenever God’s people encounter wilderness, exile, or any sort of bleakness, God, nevertheless, points to a Promised Land, a release from bondage, and a hope for the future.

This is evident in Romans 8, where the Apostle Paul pictures all of God’s creation in anticipation despite challenge. “This is how I work it out.” Paul writes. “The sufferings we go through in the present time are not worth putting in the scale alongside the glory that is going to be unveiled for us. Yes: creation itself is on tiptoe with expectation, eagerly awaiting the moment when God’s children will be revealed.” (Romans 8:18-19, NTFE).

Now the meaning of our “revealing” is varied, but fundamentally it is rooted in Paul’s additional conviction that “We know, in fact, that God works all things together for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NTFE).

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones clarifies God’s workings (i.e., all things working together for good) through the workings of a fine watch. In examining a watch’s workings, you see wheels turning in opposite directions, springs pulling against each other, gears that seem to conflict or move chaotically. It looks like disorder and contradiction. But the expertise of a skilled watchmaker crafts every part— even those that appear opposed—into a precise instrument of purpose, keeping perfect time. In like manner, Lloyd-Jones concludes, the ultimate Maker of all things works everything (the beneficial, the taxing, the horrible) into a life-contribution, in His good time. Sheer suffering is often part of the process, but over time — God’s time — even the most disconcerting elements work together for a benevolent outcome; nothing is ever wasted.

Believing such truth is a corrective lens for a new year. Unless we believe that nothing is ever wasted, in Christ, that all of life is moving toward good (i.e., New Creation), it’s tough to see any hope in the months ahead.

But note our responsibility. In Romans 8:28, Paul indicates that God doesn’t work alone to meld life together; God works with those who love Him to bring reconciliation and healing. Though God is Sovereign, ultimately superintending outcomes, He chooses to partner with us, valuing our contribution. As patristic saint Augustine notes: “God made you without you….He doesn’t justify you without you.” Thus, vital to finding hope in the new year is recognizing our role in making all things new in Christ.

Biblical scholars call this necessity participation. For many, recovery, rescue, and salvation are a static one-time God-transaction that transports us to heaven. But the heart of the Gospel includes not just God’s initiative, but our daily contribution to righteous well-being – now! Sure, in Christ we live forever; there is life after death. But the Gospel’s emphasis is not life after death, but life after birth and our active role in actualizing it in Christ.

The biblical guidebook for such participation is the Sermon On The Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:28). These verses are grounded in God’s initiative (action) in Christ, but they emphasize the necessity of our response to God’s enterprise. For example: 

• Reconcile quickly — settle anger and disputes promptly, reconciling with others before offering gifts to God (Matthew 5:21–26). 
• Avoid lust — guard against internal adultery by controlling thoughts and taking radical steps if needed (Matthew 5:27 - 30). 
• Speak truthfully — Let your yes be yes and no be no, avoiding oaths and ensuring simple honesty (Matthew 5:33-37). 
• Seek God's kingdom first — Do not worry about material needs; prioritize God & kingdom and trust His provision (Matthew 6:25–34; cf. 6:19–24).

And so, want a happy New Year? Act on God’s Good News (Gospel) today, on earth -- rather than reducing the Gospel to a “ticket” to heaven. Though our works do not ultimately save us, they are nevertheless a crucial part of God’s design, His methodology, as He works with us, to work all things together for New Creation. 

Once, I visited a historical site where a classic loom was in action, creating a beautiful, large fabric. The process was a work of art and highly participatory, with a shuttle flying across the loom between two people, as they exhibited keen intentionality and skill. Only as the two worked together was beauty and artistry achieved. 

So too with the outcome of our life. Only as we act and participate with God, passing the “shuttle” back and forth, is New Creation shaped and formed. Though God is the designer and ultimately responsible for the results, our involvement is crucial to His overall plan for crafting life and well-being.

And so, anticipate a Happy New Year! Grasp the “shuttle” of health-focused initiative and work with God to create vital, flourishing new life in Christ. Participate with the Lord to work all things together for good. Believe nothing is ever wasted. Honor the Creator as Sovereign, the ultimate arbitrator of outcomes, but contribute to New Creation, with expectation. 

Sure, things look dire, no doubt. But another optic is available, the lens of Jesus. Through His perspective and person, we can be hopeful, forward-looking, anticipating the days, weeks, and months ahead, in Christ. Along with all of God’s creation, we can live on tiptoe -- nevertheless!