It hit me last week. Just one word that was spoken at my friend’s funeral, and it all became clear. The pastor said that her earthly body was just a “tent” that she put off for her heavenly body. He was referring to 2 Corinthians 5 where Paul calls our earthy bodies “tents.” “For indeed, while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.” (2 Corinthians 5:4)
My body is causing me so much trouble, and now I see why. IT’S A TENT. And I HATE tent camping. My tent has seen better days. It seems to be leaking and may have a pole or two missing or bent or something. It no longer keeps me comfortable. It’s really more trouble than it’s worth, just like the little orange pup tent we had as kids.
I admit, back then, it was fun to sleep outside in the tent. It was an adventure. As I got older, the allure faded. I slept in a tent in our backyard one time when my boys were young. I hated it. I couldn’t sleep because I was so uncomfortable. I was sure there was a rock poking me all night, no matter which way I turned. Finally, around 4:00 a.m. I thought, This is ridiculous. My comfortable bed is 200 feet away. What am I doing out here? I retreated to my nice, soft bed, with no rocks and no regrets.
A new trend that has popped up, probably because of people like me who raise an eyebrow at going camping, is “glamping.” It is supposed to stand for “glamorous camping.” You are still in a tent, but it is considered luxurious. I don’t know. If it comes with a private bathroom, including a shower, maybe I would consider it. My idea of “glamping” would include the word Marriott somewhere in the description. If Disney did “glamping,” it would probably be okay. They get things right, and for some reason, there are no bugs on Disney properties. Hmm.
2 Corinthians 5:1 gives us really good news concerning our tents. “For we know that if the earthly house, which is our tent, is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Someday, I won’t just compromise by going glamping. I’ll turn in my tent and be handed a key to a house better than anything Marriott or Disney could deliver.
Yes, right now my tent is burdened and groaning, so it is with eager anticipation I set my gaze on the day it will be torn down. I don’t know when that will be. Jesus says he is working on it. “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3 NASB) Glamping with Jesus, sign me up.
Lisa J Radcliff ~ Finding Freedom from the Past 