As we pursue truth and meaning in our lives, there is something important we need to acknowledge: This is not our home.
We long for a new earth, where righteousness dwells, peace reigns, and war is no more. But this verse speaks of a new home for our souls, a new body. As we age, as we encounter sickness or injury, or as we contemplate mortality, we groan. We long for a body that does not suffer. A body that does not decay.
The great news is that such a body awaits us. The blessed hope of the new life in Christ is the resurrection. Living in a new, spiritual body that is incorruptible. Living in a new earth that is free of corruption.
Meanwhile, we dwell in an earthly tent in a fallen world. We live in hope, but we also live in purpose. We have an immense responsibility before God to be good stewards of the opportunities He has given us to live this life, on this earth, in this body.
As we pursue purpose in this fallen world, it is essential for us to keep in mind our eternal destiny. Our current life is but a season. We long for a better day. Our purpose spans well beyond what we can currently see. When we walk in the obedience of faith, we are laying up treasures that do not rust. A true perspective makes the most of this life while setting the stage for the life to come.
“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:1-4