A Door that Locks

 

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Corinthians 5:1-9 ESV).

 

We are not a “camping family.” Though we enjoy the outdoors, Mary has always insisted that there be a “door that locks” on the place we sleep. I have always enjoyed hunting, especially deer hunting (please know that I have done a lot more hunting than killing). In some of the places I’ve leased I’ve stayed overnight in old farmhouses, small cabins that I either built or remodeled for use, and a travel trailer. Mary accompanied me to some of those leases over the years. One illustrates her need for a bit more security than most of the structures provided. We had leased some land near Brushy Creek, Texas. It has no structure on it. So, I built a cabin. It was dry and could be warmed easily in the winter, however, it did not have a door that locked. Mary agreed to go with me one weekend, but would not sleep in the cabin. We slept in the Suburban even though the cabin had beds and mattresses. The Suburban had doors that locked! Believe me, we were glad to get home to our bed after a night or two sleeping in a SUV!

 

Our reading today uses the image of a “tent” to describe our earthly lives. The comparison to our eternal home with a tent is striking. A real home, like that which God is preparing for us is so much better! Though we can enjoy lots of good times on our earthly journey, we also struggle with the realities of sin and weakness. We suffer hurt and disappointment. We give in to temptation, and we hurt the people we love. Our bodies grow old, and our abilities weaken. When we struggle with such things, God’s Spirit reminds us that we are made for something more. We live our lives before the face of God, in the hope of being made new in Christ. Even in our weakest moments we can live with confidence because we are looking forward to a permanent home provided by God.

 

Ask God’s Spirit today to open your eyes to the hope and confidence of the home you are promised in Christ.