Away and at home
My soul longs, indeed it faints
For the courts of the Lord. Psalm 84:2
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1—10
Somehow I get the feeling, and this is not the only place, that in Christ I can never ever lose out. I’m in a tent now: I’ll get a building, an eternal one, then. I’m clothed in Christ now: I’ll have even more to put on then, the very glory of Christ. I’m at home in the body now: I’ll be at home with the Lord then. I have faith now: I’ll have sight then. It’s all very pleasing, put like that. It’s wonderful. It’s as though everything at God’s hand has conspired to bless me. And it is certainly a fine incentive for me to take up Paul’s urging and to make it my aim, at home or away, to please God in return.
Loving Father, this life is so pleasing. The prospect you hold out is impossibly so. If what I have experienced, all the birdsong, the taste of fine food, the passion I have for play and the pleasure I have in people, if I can have anyone say, ‘It’s good to see you, so good, yes, it really is,’ and I can say something the same in return, how blessed am I! And this is all foretaste! Even with life’s deficits, it remains gift and free goodness so long as I want to draw breath. And to think that I am not yet home! Well, Father, home with you must be an even greater gift, even fuller grace, even richer blessing.