This groaning is universal among the saints. Every one of us feels it, some more, some less. But hear this: it is not the groan of complaint or bitterness. No! It is the groan of desire, not distress.

We have received a down payment, and now we want the full inheritance. We ache for the complete liberation of our entire being—spirit, soul, and body—from every last trace of the fall. We long to strip off this corruption, this weakness, this shame, and to clothe ourselves in what cannot decay. In immortality. In glory. In the spiritual body that the Lord Jesus will give his people. We yearn for that moment when our adoption as children of God will be fully revealed.

"We groan," yes, but notice: it is "within ourselves." This is not the hypocrite's groan, that theatrical moan designed to make others think he is holy because he looks miserable. No, our sighs are sacred. Too holy to broadcast. We keep these deep longings between ourselves and our Lord.

And Paul says we are "waiting." Listen carefully to that word. We are not to be like Jonah or Elijah in their worst moments, crying out, "Just let me die!" We are not to whine about life because we are tired of the work. We are not to wish for escape from our present sufferings before God's will is complete.

Yes, we groan for glorification. But we wait patiently for it, knowing that what the Lord appoints is always best. And waiting means being ready. We stand at the door, expecting our Beloved to open it at any moment and take us home.

Here is the test: you can judge a person by what makes them groan. Some groan after wealth—they worship money. Some groan endlessly about life's troubles—they are simply impatient. But the one who sighs after God? The one who cannot rest until he is made like Christ? That is the blessed soul.

May God help us to groan for the Lord's coming, and for the resurrection he will bring.