“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God—a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens—for in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from Heaven.”
II Corinthians 5:1-2
Be patient, Pilgrim; you’re not Home yet—but it won’t be long until you will be.
“Groanings.”
There are no words that can capture the essence of these inward sighs of the soul. The rational mind cannot comprehend how one could be homesick for a place he’s never been or pining for someone he’s never met.
But, we know, don’t we Pilgrim?
Yes, everyone who’s ever been touched by God’s Grace knows well those “groaning that cannot be uttered—i.e., put into words” (Rom. 8:26). And, from that initial point of Justification . . .where we are both adopted and pardoned. . .through the continuing process of Sanctification…where we are daily transformed into Christ’s Image. . .to the wondrous time of Glorification. . .where we’ll finally be completely changed into His Likeness. . .we “groan (Grk. ‘stenazo’—‘to be in straits, sigh, be filled with grief, be constricted, etc.’)”. . .looking forward to finally being clothed with a Resurrection body like that of Jesus when He came forth from the grave that morning” (cf. Phil. 3:20-21).
Until that time we “groan, earnestly desiring.”
Wanting to be Home so bad we can taste it. Realizing we’re always “the odd man out” in a world that knows nothing of the Savior’s Life and Love. Suffering ridicule and rejection at the hands whose hearts are so full of sin and self.
Yet, in our groaning we should not forget to also “glory in His Presence” (II Cor. 10:17; Gal. 6:14; Col. 1:27).
Although the world around us grows increasingly darker and more evil with each passing day, we should not “grow weary in well-doing or faint in our minds” (Gal. 6:9). Instead, we should continue “glorying in the Christ and the Cross” (I Cor. 1:29-2:5). And, as “salt and light in this troubled world” we should “let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father Who is in Heaven” (Mt. 5:13-16). Hallelujah!!
Always remember, Pilgrim, as the ‘ole song says “This world is not your Home, You’re just a-travelin’ through, Your treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. Even now the angels are beckoning you from Heaven’s open door and that’s why you can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” Glory!!
Until that Day when the Lord calls you Home or meets you in the sky, be faithful, Weary One, and continue “denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him” (Lk. 9:23). For sure, there’ll be times (possibly even now) when your road will grow rocky and steep. Your companions may be few or even none at all. But, do not lose hope! Instead, “keep looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher/Perfecter of your faith” (Heb. 12:2) as you “fight the good fight, run the good Race and keep the Faith” (II Tim. 4:7-8; Heb. 12:1). And, one of these days your groaning will turn into glorying as you bask in His Presence forever and ever and ever.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated September 4, 2010
