GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL

 

 

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

 

1Now 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. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For 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. 5Now 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.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.



We’ve all had times when we’ve longed to get away from the pressure and stress of every day life to go to some quiet place - a library, a stream or a twisting trail in the woods. But, in moments of quiet reflection, have you ever yearned to be with the Lord? Have you ever dreamed about getting away form the pull of sin and the attraction of the world once and for all?

The apostle Paul did. While he didn’t necessarily want to leave his earthly body, he did long to be with the Lord. And his yearning wasn’t some form of escapism. On the contrary, his desire to share eternity with the Lord spurred him on to please Christ even more in his life on earth.

As Christians, we must imitate Paul in keeping this eternal perspective on our lives. He challenges us to live in a way that will win the Lord’s praise. To bring this home, think through your schedule for the next week and ask yourself how well it reflects your commitment to eternal things. Ask for the grace you need to remember that everything you do, even the smallest things, have eternal value.