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7 July 2008
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 5:1-5
We know that our body-the tent we live in here on earth-will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever. But now we groan in this tent. We want God to give us our heavenly home, because it will clothe us so we will not be naked. While we live in this body, we have burdens, and we groan. We do not want to be naked, but we want to be clothed with our heavenly home. Then this body that dies will be fully covered with life. This is what God made us for, and he has given us the Spirit to be a guarantee for this new life.
We were in Wales. It was our first camping trip and as the rain poured down without a pause for the fourth day we regretted borrowing such poor tents. They seemed to channel water through, rather than prevent it entering into the tent. We gave up bailing and sheltered in the local pub. It was no surprise and some relief when the door opened and a fellow camper announced that our tents had blown away in the gale. We could now go home.
At the end of chapter 4 Paul talks about his earthly struggles and here he faces the issue head on.
Life is tough, full of suffering and struggles and at the end of it we will die! Our body (like a tent) is temporary accommodation. It will not last forever and we need to accept the limitations of our bodies and lives. However, we do not despair because the Holy Spirit guarantees us a permanent home. We will be given our resurrection body infused with eternal life, free from hurt and sorrow.
This is not to say that the body is evil, but Paul reminds us of what is to come so that we might live today with courage.
Take time today to appreciate your body. Notice how it enables you to do things such as get around, communicate with others and praise God. Give thanks during the day for your earthly body and for the heavenly one that has been guaranteed to you.
"Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth but yours."
Why not chew on these words attributed to St. Theresa of Avilia.
Written by Mike Gilbert
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 5:1-5
We know that our body-the tent we live in here on earth-will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever. But now we groan in this tent. We want God to give us our heavenly home, because it will clothe us so we will not be naked. While we live in this body, we have burdens, and we groan. We do not want to be naked, but we want to be clothed with our heavenly home. Then this body that dies will be fully covered with life. This is what God made us for, and he has given us the Spirit to be a guarantee for this new life.
We were in Wales. It was our first camping trip and as the rain poured down without a pause for the fourth day we regretted borrowing such poor tents. They seemed to channel water through, rather than prevent it entering into the tent. We gave up bailing and sheltered in the local pub. It was no surprise and some relief when the door opened and a fellow camper announced that our tents had blown away in the gale. We could now go home.
At the end of chapter 4 Paul talks about his earthly struggles and here he faces the issue head on.
Life is tough, full of suffering and struggles and at the end of it we will die! Our body (like a tent) is temporary accommodation. It will not last forever and we need to accept the limitations of our bodies and lives. However, we do not despair because the Holy Spirit guarantees us a permanent home. We will be given our resurrection body infused with eternal life, free from hurt and sorrow.
This is not to say that the body is evil, but Paul reminds us of what is to come so that we might live today with courage.
Take time today to appreciate your body. Notice how it enables you to do things such as get around, communicate with others and praise God. Give thanks during the day for your earthly body and for the heavenly one that has been guaranteed to you.
"Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth but yours."
Why not chew on these words attributed to St. Theresa of Avilia.
Written by Mike Gilbert
