When Ross was growing up, his family often went on camping trips lasting two or three weeks. They always slept in a tent – never in a motel.
Yet, Ross loved camping. There was the adventure of driving across the country. ("Are we there yet?") There was the challenge of pitching a tent in a deep, dense woods one day, on a mountain slope another, and next to a bubbling brook filled with trout another. There was breathtaking scenery--eagles, moose, and occasionally a bear (hopefully not tearing up the campsite). For the most part, he thought it was awesome!
But…camping gets old! After a couple weeks of it, Ross was ready for a real shower, real TV, real video games, and a real bed. He wanted something more comfortable and permanent than a tent on a campground. As his family finally pulled into their driveway, he would say to himself. "It's good to be home!"
As good as it is to be home, our earthly homes are not permanent. In fact, God's Word compares our entire life to an extended camping trip! The writer to the Hebrews observes, "For we do not have a permanent city here, but we are looking for the city that is coming." (Hebrews 13:14) And the Apostle Paul added, "In fact, the reason we groan is that we long to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. If we do indeed put it on, we will certainly not be found naked. To be sure, while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." (2 Corinthians 5:2-4)
In this world, it's like we're always living in a tent. Unfortunately, the seams are fraying, the door flap won't stay closed, we're constantly buzzed by mosquitoes, and to add insult on top of injury, the tent leaks. While there may be days of adventure, life on this earth also includes dreary days, days of discomfort and pain, days of sadness, even death. And it's all because of our sin.
All of this – particularly facing death--can be very frightening, especially if we don't know what comes after it. That's why Jesus means so much to us! After all, Jesus came down to our earth and "tented" among us (John 1:14--a literal translation). Why? His extended trip to this world had a definite purpose--to rescue you and me! He came to live a perfect life unmarred by sin in any way. He came to suffer and die for our sin. Three days later, he rose from the dead to prove that he paid for our sin in full.
Because of what Jesus did, we have the hope "that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, which is not made by human hands." (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Will you be like Ross this summer? Will you be camping in that secluded spot? Hiking? Biking? FISHING? Then I pray the Lord refreshes you with the beauty and splendor of His creation.
But this summer, don't forget an even more important Get-Away. Take the time to get away to grace. How? Pack your Bible or a Meditations for your vacation. Look for a WELS church in the area for Sunday or weekday worship. And when you're back home from your camping or fishing trip beyond the End of the Earth, join us at Trinity for worship at 9:00 AM, Sundays, and 6:30 PM Mondays.
Privileged to Serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
Yet, Ross loved camping. There was the adventure of driving across the country. ("Are we there yet?") There was the challenge of pitching a tent in a deep, dense woods one day, on a mountain slope another, and next to a bubbling brook filled with trout another. There was breathtaking scenery--eagles, moose, and occasionally a bear (hopefully not tearing up the campsite). For the most part, he thought it was awesome!
But…camping gets old! After a couple weeks of it, Ross was ready for a real shower, real TV, real video games, and a real bed. He wanted something more comfortable and permanent than a tent on a campground. As his family finally pulled into their driveway, he would say to himself. "It's good to be home!"
As good as it is to be home, our earthly homes are not permanent. In fact, God's Word compares our entire life to an extended camping trip! The writer to the Hebrews observes, "For we do not have a permanent city here, but we are looking for the city that is coming." (Hebrews 13:14) And the Apostle Paul added, "In fact, the reason we groan is that we long to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. If we do indeed put it on, we will certainly not be found naked. To be sure, while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." (2 Corinthians 5:2-4)
In this world, it's like we're always living in a tent. Unfortunately, the seams are fraying, the door flap won't stay closed, we're constantly buzzed by mosquitoes, and to add insult on top of injury, the tent leaks. While there may be days of adventure, life on this earth also includes dreary days, days of discomfort and pain, days of sadness, even death. And it's all because of our sin.
All of this – particularly facing death--can be very frightening, especially if we don't know what comes after it. That's why Jesus means so much to us! After all, Jesus came down to our earth and "tented" among us (John 1:14--a literal translation). Why? His extended trip to this world had a definite purpose--to rescue you and me! He came to live a perfect life unmarred by sin in any way. He came to suffer and die for our sin. Three days later, he rose from the dead to prove that he paid for our sin in full.
Because of what Jesus did, we have the hope "that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, which is not made by human hands." (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Will you be like Ross this summer? Will you be camping in that secluded spot? Hiking? Biking? FISHING? Then I pray the Lord refreshes you with the beauty and splendor of His creation.
But this summer, don't forget an even more important Get-Away. Take the time to get away to grace. How? Pack your Bible or a Meditations for your vacation. Look for a WELS church in the area for Sunday or weekday worship. And when you're back home from your camping or fishing trip beyond the End of the Earth, join us at Trinity for worship at 9:00 AM, Sundays, and 6:30 PM Mondays.
Privileged to Serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
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