«We have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands» (2 Corinthians 5:1, NIV).
ANTHONY DE MELLO TELLS how a man once burst into the palace and went straight to King Ibrahim ben Adam’s throne room. Astonished by such an unexpected visit, the king asked him, «What is it you want?»
The man replied, «I want a place to sleep in this caravan refuge.»
«You are mistaken:’ answered the king.
«This is no caravan refuge, it is my palace.»
«May I ask who owned this palace before you?»
«My father.»
«And before your father?»
«My grandfather did.»
«And this palace where people lodge for a while and move on-did I hear you say it was not a caravan refuge?»
Then De Mello ends with this phrase: «Everyone is in the departure lounge!» Although it may seem unbelievable to us, the truth is we are passing through this world. In fact, we are here to define where we will spend the rest of eternity. In an act of utter irrationality, many of us have taken for granted that this earth is our perpetual home, and all our plans and dreams are based on what happens on this side of the universe. When our earthly stay comes to an end, what plans have we made in light of what comes next?
After mentioning great heroes of faith, wonderful men and women, God’s Word affirms they acknowledged «they were foreigners and strangers on earth» (Hebrews 11:13, NIV). Not only that, but their hopes were to reach the «city … whose architect and builder is God» (Hebrews 11:10, NIV). They knew their passage through this planet would be a temporary experience.
The Lord knows our earthly experience has an expiration date; that’s why He said, «I go to prepare a place for you» (John 14:2). Where is that place? «For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands» (2 Corinthians 5:1, NIV).
I am comforted by the fact the verse says «we have»-it is already ours, and soon we will live in that» eternal house!’
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Angelica Cuate
