Tenting for a Time
2 Corinthians 5:1-5—Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Well, the time has come to put away the tents and campers. We’re now dipping down into the 20s! This last weekend was probably the last big hurrah of tenters and campers for the season. Even without big festivals this year, we’ve still had plenty of people come up to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation here in Door County.
Whether you do it yourself, or just see those coming here, camping is always temporary. The Apostle Paul uses that imagery to speak of our time here on earth, both as a warning, but more importantly, as an encouragement.
As we camp here on earth waiting to go to our permanent home in heaven, our lives can often be filled with groaning, but not the groaning of cold camp food and an uncomfortable bed. It’s the groaning we have because we are sinful human beings. It’s the groaning of Paul in Romans 7 when he tells us of the battle in his heart between his sinful nature and his heart of faith—a battle each one of us fights every day. Paul is talking about the groaning of living in a sinful world. It’s the groaning of seeing a nation reject the Lord and his love for the lies of the devil and a share in his eternal destruction. It’s the groaning of living with the consequences of sin, whether it’s our own or the sin of others. It’s the groaning of being made fun of for our faith in Christ. It’s the groaning of suffering from illness, disease and loss. It’s the groaning of wondering why the Lord hasn’t taken you home to heaven already.
Yes, there are wonderful and beautiful things about our tenting trip that is our lives in this world, just like the tenting trips we can go on. But just like the joys and intrigues of tenting are temporary, so are the joys and intrigues of this life. In both we still long to go home. In this life we long to go to our permanent home. We long for heaven as Paul says, To be sure, while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
What a beautiful image! Death swallowed up by life! And the life Paul is talking about is real life—the life God has always wanted for us. Real life is life that isn’t hindered by any weakness of body or soul because of sin. Real life is an eternal and perfect union with God. Real life is what Adam and Eve had with the Lord before the fall into sin. Friends, this is the life God has planned for you, has secured for you, and promises to give to you by giving you the Holy Spirit as a down payment, guaranteeing you that your heavenly home is prepared and waiting for you! Let this beautiful truth encourage you as you keep on Tenting for a Time.