Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV)
Awaiting the New Body
5 For 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. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
How does God’s purpose (see verse 5) apply to a current crisis of yours?
Lord I feel weak and sinful, and experience hardship and frustration as I live in this broken world. My physical body has pain, and doesn’t do what it used to do. My earthly body is like camping in a temporary tent. Tent camping is challenging. There is work and the forces of nature have a direct impact. There is limited isolation and protection from the outside world. Although there are times of beauty and accomplishment, sometimes I find myself in the wilderness and alone. You have promised that the day will come when I will leave my tattered tent and I will move to my perfect permanent resurrection body in heaven where I will be at home with You. This life and all the good, bad and ugly that comes with it will be swallowed up. I don’t know what that means exactly, or how my new home will look, but help my faith in Your promise guide me in what I can’t see. Thank You for putting a little heaven in my heart so that I yearn for it and will never settle for less. Thank You for Your Spirit who is a piece of Your future blessing, reign and rule that is to come in the here and now. As long as I am here, I am away from You, but I look forward to the time when I will see You face to face and can worship You for eternity. Help me to keep my focus on the glory of living with You in heaven. No matter what happens to me in this life, no one can take that Hope away from me. My purpose is to share that hope and promise to others. My goal is to please You in all that I do, and for You to find me faithful when You come to take me home. Amen