Tim Cain, pastor at Kaleo Church in El Cajon, California, reminds us how easy it can be to fall down the slippery slope of envying those living "the good life" in the world around us. The psalmist in Psalm 73 starts off in that direction, wondering where is God when the wicked prosper and have lives of ease, while His people suffer. It's not until he enters God's sanctuary that he is reminded that the truly good life is wherever God is...and because of the gift of Jesus, God's presences is here with us today. Even in the midst of our suffering and sorrows we can truly life the good life as we wait expectantly for the glory that is to come.
There is a human tendency to be overwhelmed by fear of loss, even in moments of deep love and gratitude. We often focus on the temporary nature of earthly joys, constantly worried about losing what we cherish.
However, Paul reminds us that our "earthly tent" is being dismantled, not for ultimate loss, but to be replaced by a "building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." We are called to groan not with regret for what is passing, but with anticipation for the glorious permanence that awaits.
God is a giver, not a taker. He sent His Son, the greatest treasure of heaven to take on the form of a temporary tent so that He could offer us a permanent building with Him for all eternity. We are given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that all of God's promises are true. So, love the good things in this world with open hands, knowing that any loss is simply a precursor to something infinitely greater.
