Thoughts From Romans 8

  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. Rom. 8:26-28

         Have you ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie? Here is the formula that repeats itself over and over;

1. Setup - A strong female lead is working a high-pressure job and has little time for Christmas or love.

2. Disruption - Due to a crisis such as a broken-down car or an unrealistic deadline, the lead is forced to travel to a small festive Christmas town aided by a bachelor who annoys her because he is not on a deadline and loves Christmas.

3. Warmup - Forced to work together either setting up the town festival or baking cookies, the two begin to develop feelings

4. Misunderstanding - Some untruth or partial or previous truth comes out driving a wedge in their relationship with a breakup

5. Resolution - The explanation comes out with a confession of love under falling snow and a kiss with a happily ever after.

    This is Romans 8:26-28 in a nutshell. God, the author knows the beginning and the end of our story and it has a happy ending. We don't know the story as we are the actors going through it in real time. Therefore when we get to #2, the disruption, quite often we are frustrated, anxious, annoyed as we pray for God to deliver us from this crisis. Quite often our prayers would be to be taken out of the mess or something totally contrary to the trajectory and happy ending of our story which God knows. Therefore, the Holy Spirit, who is God inside us, prays for us to the Father in accordance with His will;

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1Cor 2:11,12

 In other words, the lead is praying, "Lord, help my broken-down car to start so I can get out of this hick town and get back to New York City", and the Holy Spirit is praying, "Father, Holly (usually named after a Christmas pun) doesn't know what she is praying for so don't listen to her. Help the rugged bachelor to show up soon." And later, during stage 4, the misunderstanding, the rugged bachelor is praying, "Lord heal my broken heart and lead me to the woman you have for me and help me be more discerning next time", and the Holy Spirit is praying, "Father, Joe doesn't know the end of the story so ignore that prayer. Soften his heart to accept the explanation for the letter he just read on her typewriter. Fan those flames of forgiveness and love in his heart."

      And then, the "all things" - the heartbreak, misunderstandings, crises, frustrations - work together for good when the end is revealed.

       I'm sure you have numerous Hallmark movie experiences in your life. I know I have too many to tell. Some you might be in the midst of and may not even see the resolution until Heaven, but God's word promises that He is interceding for you through them and He is going to bring good out of them. This is a promise from God's word. Rest in it!