Temporary and Eternal . . . Faith

Living, temporarily, here in Ecuador has given me a chance to better understand what our time here on Earth is supposed to be like.  Compared to eternity our time here is short and yet we all invest so much effort in trying to be comfortable and cozy during our time here.  It is easy for us to hold on to what we have, especially when we don't know what is on the other side.  I know I am just as guilty as anyone else, but I now have caught a glimpse of the perspective of short versus long term desires.  I know what it is like to live in a temporary place thinking ahead of things to come.  I know that we are going to be headed back to the United States soon and I can think of the things I look forward to, our own bedroom, our own kitchen, toilets that flush, drinkable tap water, you know the simple stuff.  But just like our time here in Ecuador may be temporary, I am sure we all know our time here on earth is temporary.  The older you get, the more I believe you realize this.  Just as I have faith and knowledge that as we head back to live in the US (as long as that is God's plan for us) we can have some of these comforts, I also have faith that in heaven, for eternity, everything will be that much greater.  Paul wrote this in his second letter to the Corinthians:

"While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2Ch 4:18

"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2Ch 5:1

"For we walk by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Ch 5:7,8

Or ambition is to be present with the Lord.  The spiritual body we have from God is eternal and far greater than what we have here.  We put our faith in the promises that the Lord has given us and we long to see Him face to face.

How does that change our lives now?  We are to live for Him and buy from Him gold refined in the fire.

"and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." 2 Ch 5:15

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" Titus 2:11-13

"I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed" Rev 3:18

I encourage you all to trust in the Lord.  Buy from Him gold refined in the fire and look to store up your treasures in heaven.  Look to Him for that coming time when your tent passes away here and you go to be present with the Lord.  I can't even imagine what it will be like, perhaps looking back on the sillyness of things here.  We can put our faith in the Lord and know that He is preparing a place for us.

God Bless you all
Douglas