NEW BODIES
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:1-4 (NLT)
I love where it says we groan and sigh in our current bodies. For years, I could eat what I wanted, fall and not ache, run and not grow exhausted, and go on very little sleep. Now, things have changed for me. The other day, I pulled a muscle in my neck while sleeping!
Whenever I tell someone older than me about an ache or pain, I usually get, Oh, you wait, it doesn’t get any better! If I’m honest, there are times I fear getting older. I fear more of the groaning and sighing. I fear the slower movement and increased exhaustion that seems to grow each year. Then I come to verses like the ones above, and I remember that the resurrection of Jesus promises new bodies. We don’t have to be afraid of the future. We don’t have to be fearful because we know what awaits us.
The other day, I had some sickness, and while I didn’t enjoy getting sick, I knew that this season would pass and I would be back. This should be our approach to aging. This season will pass, and one day soon, we will have new and improved bodies! As you get older, you get a wisdom and rootedness you couldn’t have when you were younger. There is nothing to fear because God, in His goodness, has made a way. Let every ache and pain when you are young and old cause you to keep your eyes on what matters most: eternity. I love what Jonathan Edwards says: Lord, teach me to live with eternity stamped on my eyelids. The best day on this earth can’t hold a candle to the worst in heaven.
APPLICATION: Today, through every bump and bruise, look towards heaven!
PRAYER: Ask the Spirit to make you excited about what awaits. Ask Him to give you hope and confidence that everything will be made better one day. Ask Him to provide you with a deep joy that He is with you now in every moment, good and bad!
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?