The Apostle Paul wrote the following to believers in the pagan city of Corinth:
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. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:1-4 NIV (Emphasis added)
There is definitely a lot of groaning on this earth, and for a good reason—sin has made a mess of things. Thankfully, we serve a God who reveals to us something far beyond what our limited minds and limited time can conceive—eternity.
We find deity only in eternity. Nothing holy or unlimited lives on this temporal plane. Thus, the sacred for which we long, the reality for which we live, lies beyond what our eyes can see. We have glimpses in creation, but nothing to compare to that which is to come.
Jan Winebrenner shares with transparency the struggle we face:
The ultimate challenge for me as a believer is this: to learn to live in the reality of the invisible.
Jan Winebrenner, Intimate Faith
For this reason, the worship of man-made gods or human achievement proves itself so profane. Neither can lift us beyond this realm of possibility. True worship can only be of the power which reigns overall. We worship the holy God of creation, maker of heaven and earth. He is the ultimate “set apart” One, toward whom we can direct our praise and adoration.
The joy about eternity comes in the knowledge of our participation in it. Take some time today, even if your earthly body is groaning, to worship the Eternal Lord overall and thank him for making himself known.
Grace and Peace