Temporary Tents

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:16; 5:1-5

“Hey, kids, how about a camping trip to the mountains this weekend?” Dad asked enthusiastically at the dinner table one night.

“I’m in!” yelled Rico. He wanted to get his vote in before his older sister said something negative.

Sure enough, Cara frowned. “Dad, remember the last time we went camping? Our tent collapsed in the middle of the night because we didn’t put it up right, and the mosquitos nearly ate us alive.”

Rico giggled. “Don’t forget the night we camped on a beach. When the tide came in, water sloshed into our tent. Everything got soaked!”

“The scariest experience for me,” said Mom, “was lying in the tent listening to some animal making a racket outside. I was sure it was a bear.”

“But it was only a cute little raccoon!” Dad grinned. “Fun memories, huh? Reminds me of something I read in the Bible the other day about tents.” He got up to find his Bible.

“Really? The Bible talks about tents?” Rico asked.

“Yup. Here it is. Second Corinthians 5:1-5.” Dad read the passage aloud.

“You see?” Cara looked triumphant. “Even the Bible says tents are trouble!”

Mom laughed. “Except those verses are really comparing our bodies to tents. It’s saying that as long as we’re in our frail human skin, we’re at risk of experiencing all kinds of sicknesses, temptations, and hardships.”

“Right,” said Dad. “But don’t forget that it also says our weak bodies are temporary. We’ll only have them for as long as we live on this earth. One day, when Jesus returns, He will provide those who trust in Him with a new home—He’s going to get rid of sin, sickness, and death forever and make the whole world new. And there we will have perfect bodies. Invincible!”

“Like Superman!” shouted Rico. “Cool!”

“Well, in the meantime,” said Mom, “what do you say we trade the tent for a mountain lodge this weekend, maybe near a lake?”

Everyone cheered but Dad, who shrugged good-naturedly. “Okay, okay. I hear you! But we’re not through with camping. We’ve got plenty more adventures out there, just waiting for us!”

–Deborah Meroff

How about you? Have you ever thought of your body as a kind of tent? A tent is temporary—it’s meant to be used for a short time while you’re away from home. And this world is not our home—as Christians, our home is with Jesus. One day He will come back and make the world new so it can be our home forever, and He’ll give us perfect bodies that will never wear out! Until then, remember He’s with you in the temporary hardships you face.

Today’s key verse: For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened. 2 Corinthians 5:4 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Our weak bodies are temporary