We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV
I then went to Peterson’s translation for the modern wording of this passage.
For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.
That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.
But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 The Message
Have you received ‘a little bit of heaven’ in your heart from Him? I’ve had the privilege / responsibility of receiving from Him my fair share of experience with heaven. It has ruined this current ‘place’ for me in many ways. There are days I greatly long for heaven – not from sadness but from knowing what really awaits me / us there. Becoming God’s friend will lead you into a great and marvelous adventure. You will experience things and learns things that will humble you and cause oh so many questions within you all the while the glorious mystery is so majestic to behold. The paradoxical path will become a welcome one as you are led by the One who knows … it all. The more you walk with Him the more you learn that you really don’t know anything.
What are the marks of those who ‘walk with Him’ closely? Genuine humility. Love that comes from God. A contentedness that is hard to shake. A desire to see everyone walking with God. They often have few words and kind eyes. The actually listen to you. They can ask you piercing questions that go straight to your heart.
When this verse first popped into my head, I was also reminded of friends who are facing real health challenges. Do I want them healed? Of course. But I also know what awaits them – eternally. And THERE they WILL be healed WAY beyond their wildest dreams! I also know the opportunities God gives us in the challenges we have to face here, day by day. Are we joyful for those opportunities? Or are we complaining to Him? Are we actually His ambassador here in this war-torn existence of a place? Are we ‘setting the captives’ free? Are we working to tell others what He has done for them? Let us not squander the opportunities God has provided for us today. Do you see your daily ‘challenges’ as opportunities – to be faithful and obedient to Him?
Ask Him to show you.
Holy Spirit … be with me and teach me today. I surrender to Your will.