Base camp
by Sal Huckel
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So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it (2 Corinthians 5:9).
From the beginning of this passage in The Message translation, we read: ‘Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it!’
We often hear others – or ourselves, even – complain about aches and pains, weaknesses in our bodies, things we have inherited from one side of the family or the other.
We are reminded today that while our earthly bodies have differing degrees of frailty, there is an eternal house in heaven coming that will one day replace our earthly tent! This, brothers and sisters in Christ, is a certainty. We have the Holy Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing that this will be to come one day. With that confidence, what do we do day by day? We are to live by faith. We are built (and given the Holy Spirit) to want to please God wherever, and whatever, our situation. We have a clear reminder at the end of this passage that one day we will indeed all appear before the judgement seat of Christ to receive what is due for the things done in the body – good or bad. Well, it may as well be good!
If faith motivates us to good works (Hebrews 10:24), what works can we do? Whatever our frailty, there is something. Ask the Lord to show you what work you can do from your earthly base camp. Can’t walk far? Encourage someone with a call or letter. Can’t bake a casserole? Who would appreciate a food voucher or a cup of coffee? Wherever you are, however strong or weak your ‘tent’ is, there’s kingdom work to be done. If we have a hope and a future in Christ but still find ourselves weary in the earthly home we are given, how much more reason is there to share that hope with others who don’t yet know it?
Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for the earthly tent in which I reside. Help me to care for it and ‘keep house’ well in this life. I am sorry for my ungrateful heart when I think about my frailties. I pray you will give me ideas and inspiration for sharing your love with others so that my actions and life here will be pleasing to you and bring glory to your name. Here I am, Lord, send me! In the name of your son, Jesus, I pray, Amen.
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