A few summers ago, we ventured out west and spent about a week sleeping in a tent with our five children. Driving from Washington back home to Tennessee, we passed the base of Mt. Rainer, the Grand Tetons, and other increasingly brave and out-of-the-way places. As we were driving through the Yakima Valley one evening, we realized it was late and getting dark, and we hadn’t settled on a place to set up camp for the night. And so we stopped along the Naches River on an abandoned stretch of highway with tall hills on both sides of the camp.
By this point we had a travel system in place; everyone knew their job, so we all worked together quickly to set up our tent. Once we’d settled in, we realized we were not alone. Just a stone’s throw away, tucked behind the sagebrush, cooking hot dogs over a fire, was Frank. I helped the kids play/bathe in the river and helped them to some supper, while my husband, Caleb, introduced himself. Frank lived in his tent full-time and had a lot of really good ideas for long-term, electricity-free refrigeration. We exchanged kindnesses and small gifts and fell asleep in our respective tents. For us, that night was the bravest, most rugged camping we’d ever logged. But for Frank, it was just a Tuesday.
I love the hope that Paul gives us in this passage from 2 Corinthians, because no matter how comfortable or uncomfortable we are in our earthly tents, they will all be packed up and folded away someday. Because of Jesus, this is not our home. The Father “made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Paul acknowledged that we are groaning in our earthly bodies, some of us living with pain that won’t go away until Jesus comes. Some of us carry a weight of sadness that makes us long to go home. No matter what kind of tent we are living in, it will be destroyed.
The thought of my own death fills me with concern for my children. But setting that hefty thought aside and clinging to the truth Paul was teaching in this passage, I see that our earthly death means the ending of a short, uncomfortable camping trip and the joy and relief of finally going home—where things are clean and warm and beautiful and there’s good food and good company. But we have never seen it. So we hold on to our tents, even though they are fraying and growing holes and starting to let the rain in. These tents are awesome, don’t get me wrong. But they are not the final stop. In the meantime, Paul says, we sit in our tents, and we groan.
But Paul exhorts us, “So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord” (v.:6). While we are still here on earth in these awesome and leaky bodies, biding our time, we have the mighty hope of our future eternal home with Christ. During these camping days, we aim to be pleasing to Him and long for the day when He will finally bring us home.
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92 thoughts on "Our Future After Death"
I have a dear friend, and elderly brother in Christ who has terminal cancer and has no surviving family. His closest friend and full-time carer, also a believer, passed away suddenly in March. Since then I have taken over managing his care. I get stuck in taking care of the practical needs of my friend, John (aged 86). However his greatest need is spiritual encouragement to endure faithfully to the end. Please pray that I may be more of a Mary, pointing him towards sitting at the feet of Christ, than a Martha, just bustling around with an endless to-do list.
If I live like heaven is a reality, than I must live like hell is one as well. I pray this will encourage me to pray and witness to those who don’t know Jesus yet.
So thankful this world is not my home!
This lesson was absolutely lovely and touched my heart. ❤️
When I was younger I had an aunty who passed away from cancer. Towards the end of her life she just kept talking about how she was so excited to finally go to Heaven. She planned her funeral and it was such a positive celebration of life and she reiterated that now she was at home.
I admired her outlook and always said that I hope to be like that when my time comes but I never fully understood it until the last few readings. Today’s reading reminds me of her and I can see the pure joy in looking forward to going to our eternal home. This was an eye opening one!
My study Bible also sent me to this passage I felt worth sharing Titus 2:11-14
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Happy Tuesday She’s!!!
I love this, thank you for sharing
I love how this life is described as a “short, uncomfortable camping trip”. For me at times it has felt like a long difficult time walking and breathing through the shadow of the valley of death…and yet I am still here. BUT there is a great joy and relief of finally going home (where things are clean and warm and beautiful, with good food and good company). We have the mighty HOPE of our future eternal home with Christ! Jesus never leaves us. We also have the fellowship of believers to encourage and walk with us on this journey to Heaven.
Because of Jesus this is not our home. LOVE it! Can’t wait! AND yes some us carry a lot of weight and long for our ETERNAL home! Though its hard, VERY HARD I am so thankful and grateful for our JESUS being fully God and fully human knowing pain and suffering and knowing ahead of time that HE was going to die on the Cross for us, and yet did it anyway for YOU and I to give us that HOPE while we still live on this imperfect world. And its a great reminder to us that this world is not our home, we are just passing through. I love, love, love the parallel of camping that Rebecca uses here! Such hope! Happy TUESDAY’s sweet She’s!!!
Yes!Yes! YES! (hands up emoji) :)
Thankful for the HOPE of heaven!!
What a beautiful day that will be when we get our new bodies. God loves me so much to give us something so precious to Him. A new body just for us to call ours and then we get to lives with Him.
I had never thought of it that way! TY!
Hello Shes
Seems to me this is the week to be wowed by every devotional writer! Our “awesome, leaking, crumbling, groaning bodies” will one day decay & find new life in the One who redeems, rectifies & repairs. Makes my arthritic joints today less troublesome & the fear of death less foreboding. Meanwhile, walking by faith – baby steps or giant leaps. Not seeing, yet believing in His brave & beautiful new world. Available to every body!
Thanks be to God. For these empowering words coming from your daughters.
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I used to camp. First tent camping in my 20’s. That is uncomfortable camping, but there were parts about it that I loved. Being outdoors in the woods. Cooking breakfast was one of the best parts! The smells are so much better outside. Then we bought a pop-up. Tanner learned to ride his bike in Door County Wisconsin. It was our favorite place to go. I have so many good memories. What made camping a bit harder was making sure I had all of Tanner’s medicines. I had to pull liquid minerals into syringes every single night. There were 27 of them. Standing like soldiers fighting for Tanner’s life. Tanner’s earthly tent has been folded up and he is in God’s arms. It was a blessing for him for his illness had became so so hard. The blessing for me is knowing where Tanner is and that one day I will join him.
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LOVE you Traci! Thank you for sharing you life with us!
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crying emojis..with heart!
Traci❤️. Sending love and hugs..❤️
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It is so hard to imagine our new home in heaven, one that awaits our arrival. We have nothing on earth to compare it to, but what we do know is that it will be better than anything we could ever imagine! Oh the splendor and glory that awaits us – and our Savior -High King of heaven! This devotional reminds me of an old hymn that my friends mom, years ago taped herself singing and then had it played at her own funeral. It’s called “Finding It Home”….
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When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea,
Unknown waves before you roll;
At the end of doubt and peril is eternity,
Though fear and conflict seize your soul.
But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!
When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night,
O how lonely death can be;
At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light,
For death is swallowed up in victory!
But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!
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I haven’t had a chance to read the comments yet – will come back to it later…my husbands appointment is this morning to find out the results of his biopsy (prostate). Prayers for God’s perfect will to be done.
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Have a blessed Tuesday!
Praying Sharon. My husband went through prostate cancer in 2019. He is doing so well now.
Peace to your hearts and minds
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Praying right now sweet Sharon.
The older I get the more ready I am for heaven. I find it hard to find real rest on this earth. There’s always something to think about, something to figure out, something coming up to plan for. I haven’t had real rest since my divorce several years ago. I do pray I can truly rely on God the way I used to rely on my husband to fix things, provide income, make decisions with. The good news is, there is a day coming when all of this will be done. True rest will come. In the mean time, I’m trying to stress less, enjoy more, invest in heavenly things, let go of earthly things.
Yes, I hear you. Sometimes it just seems so overwhelming and never ending stress or busyness, or hurting. I guess that makes us long for heaven. I can’t imagine if I didn’t have that HOPE! It’s a grace for him to give us a reprieve in little surprises and love. That’s why it’s so important to go and give to those in need and divorced, or going through hard times. When I got divorced and had a toddler, my one neighbors really helped me out by doing some mowing and maintenance! We don’t seem to see neighbors doing that much these days.
I’m with you Kris. I’m legally separated. And NO desire to get back with him as he was verbally, emotionally and sometimes physically abusive. Financially, there have been some challenges BUT GOD, through HIS provision I still stand. Yes, its been challenging and sometimes I have felt sad, YET my JESUS continues to provide! I, along with you long for the day to “rest”. Meanwhile Jehovah Jireh continues to provide and I’m believing HE will continue to provide for you as well. I say to myself, “I may not have everything, but I have everything I need and “sometimes” a little extra. YOU got this Kris, because JESUS has YOU!
I understand this feeling completely. It’s comforting to know others feel the same or struggle too, knowing you aren’t alone.
What a beautiful way of explaining our earthly bodies! This reminds me of an old song.
This world is not my home
I’m just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
I have a loving mother
Just up in Gloryland
And I don’t expect to stop
Until I shake her hand
She’s waiting now for me
In heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Just over in Gloryland
We’ll live eternally
The saints on every hand
Are shouting victory
Their songs of sweetest praise
Drift back from heaven’s shore
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home In this world any more
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jim Reeves
This World Is Not My Home lyrics © Sony/atv Tree Publishing
We are just passing through! May I cling more to the eternal and loosen my grip on this world.
My family does a lot of camping and I have to say I loved the tent/camping metaphor. I know it was in scripture but the way it was highlighted here in this devotional made me really think about it and apply it. I really appreciated that.
I am soooo not a camper! But this from Rebecca… “ I see that our earthly death means the ending of a short, uncomfortable camping trip and the joy and relief of finally going home—where things are clean and warm and beautiful and there’s good food and good company. But we have never seen it. So we hold on to our tents, even though they are fraying and growing holes and starting to let the rain in. These tents are awesome, don’t get me wrong. But they are not the final stop. In the meantime, Paul says, we sit in our tents, and we groan.”
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Let’s go camping, sweet She’s… (well, not real camping!) Let us all remember that this is just an uncomfortable camping trip, and a short one at that. Our eternal home is being prepared for us, and we’ll have its comfort when the time comes for us to be there.
Such a great message this morning☺️!
My favorite part of camping was the outdoor cooking! Everything smelled so much better and tasted better. In the Southern US, we don’t have to look for bugs (TINA – wink); they find us! Hahaha
Warren Wiersbe says:
“The authority of God’s Word gives us the assurance and comfort we need. Whether we Christians live or die, we have nothing to fear because Jesus will come either with us or for us! The fact of His return is a comfort to our hearts.”
In Philippians 4, Paul encourages us to be about God’s business while we are alive in this world. We really should all be praying, as SEARCHING mentioned, to see the ‘divine appointments’ God puts in our path . We were just talking about that in Sunday School a couple of days ago! And as MARIA BAUER said, we should pray for discernment in what our task is. I struggle with that, too, Maria, and could not have stated it as well as you did. I actually tried and gave up! ❤
SEARCHING – ❤
MARIA BAER – apologies! ❤
“being about my Father’s business” what Jesus said as a teenager when He got left behind in Jerusalem (I think??), I love that, and that’s how we should be. Always be Kingdom thinking!
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Oh the fine line between comfort and discomfort. How quickly our situation can change. How we want to be cozy and comfortable and when we are not we feel attacked..by people, nature, or the devil! But we know, thankfully the Lord tells us, that persecution will come in all forms. I am “comforted” knowing this, and try to make trials into a lesson. We can learn and adapt in every situation. After coming out of a hurricane you learn how quickly our houses and everything can be destroyed in an instant, same with a cancer diagnosis or loss of a love one. Thankfully we have a God of restoration, a Jesus that saves us, and Holy Spirit that guides and comforts us!!
He is the Truth and Light..and luckily we know where our home is, and we are to share it to the lost! Look beyond our comfort—and step out in faith to bring others into our ultimate home!
Well said, Rhonda! ❤
What hope we have in the future! Praise God!
Today’s devotional was interesting to me because my main experience with “camping” is doing field exercises in the military. And as I read Rebecca’s reflection, my mind kept going back to that because it equates so much to what we do in field exercises: we are in a temporary location with one mission— train and be prepared for a big event, whatever that may be. And life in Christ is the same. I think back to the Great Commission. We are here temporarily, with one mission in Christ, to spread the Gospel, train our hearts and minds to Jesus, and be ready to the big event: His return. Sometimes I feel stuck on what my part of the mission is and how to develop my skills for the Kingdom, and I turn to Christ in prayer for discernment and clarity on what that is. And that is my prayer today for all of us, that the Spirit gives us discernment on how to realign our lives more closely to God so we, as His children, can be used for His Glory.
Ditto! ❤
I also feel stuck Maria. Thank you for a beautiful prayer.
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Thank you Maria, a great addition to the devotional
Superb summary, Dear Maria!
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Yes and Amen! It’s all about glorifying God. Whether we eat, drink; whether we live or die; in sickness, in health – it’s sole purpose in any and all of it, is to bring God glory!
Thanks Maria for this imagery!!! I too sometimes feel stuck then remember every choice I make is for Gods glory- whether I choose to explode on my kid for misbehaving or if I calmly realize he’s 4 and tired and redirect his behavior- it’s all for His glory. So just know that your mission was accomplished today with these beautiful words!!!
Thank you, Allison ❤️
Being in between can never be perfect, but as long as we realize that fact, we are in the place we need to be…
So true
I have been groaning more loudly lately. I have never truly been a happy camper. I desperately long for home.
Forgive me if I mention this every time we study this subject:
When I was very young, Jesus coming back to bring home His bride was talked about so often with such urgency that I was fairly certain I would never grow up. When people were gone from my vision suddenly or just for a moment too long, I used to worry that they were gone “in the twinkling of an eye,” and I was left here alone… but then I’d see them again, and relief would attempt to settle back in. (It was an awful, nagging, unspoken fear.) When I hit 17/18 years old and hadn’t made substantial plans for my future, frustration and confusion welled up from the depths of my soul. “I’m not supposed to still be here! Why haven’t You come back yet??!!” I didn’t make any plan for higher education, employment, or family life because He was coming “SOON,” and I was fairly certain I didn’t need to…until then…when I was still here. Depression and frustration haunted me as I remained here, unsure why now was not the time.
Now, as a married mother of three, all I want to do is go home. This life is “too difficult,” “too long.” “WHY CAN’T WE JUST GO HOME ALREADY???!!!”
I take comfort in the bittersweet song by Steven Curtis Chapman, “Long Way Home.” I cry every time I hear it. I find relief in knowing we won’t be here forever but will remain here until His mission is complete. He has plans, more beautiful than we could ever imagine, and there are brothers and sisters who still need to be pointed toward home. While we remain, we can love like He loves and show them the Way.
Father, continue to give us strength as we carry on. May we fix our eyes on Jesus, refusing to look to the right or left, measuring time, wondering why we are still here, and learn to be content and confident that we are traveling with and for You. We love You, LORD. Maranatha.
Amen! Thanks for sharing that! I often am ready already!
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Our church Sunday life group is reading “The Great Disappearance” by David Jeremiah. I’m so excited to think that all the problems with my body will be taken care of and I will be 100% perfect when I physically kneel before the Lord. Woo! This is the song that comes to mind for me today:
What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
And I look upon his face
The one who saved me by his grace
When he takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be
I’m at Camp now. We had some thundering rain overnight. I’m very glad I brought my boots. Because I am the nurse for Camp I have a cabin to stay in. I’m very grateful for the little things. Yesterday when we were preparing for the children who will arrive today, we had a time of prayer over every seat in the Tabernacle, over the counselors, and the deans of men and women, and over the campground itself. I could feel the Spirit moving even then. I’m so excited for what the Lord is going to do this week. All of the campers arrived today In about three hours. Thank you for keeping us all in prayer. God is going to do some awesome things this week!
I love Dr Jeremiah, I listen to his daily radio lessons. I am currently reading that book as well! I’ve had to renew it about 3x so far from the library!! I’m about 3/4 through, it’s good and makes me long for
the day!!
I LOVE that song! What a day…that will be!!
Have a good week at camp!!
❤ I am so ready for lifegroup season to start here!
Also praying for your week of camp! ❤
Look forward to hearing all about camp this week. Be blessed!
Dear Tricia
Preparation.
Promises.
Prayers for a perfectly-imperfect camp!
Whatever the weather!
Praying your week at camp goes well and that lots of little ones will give their hearts to Christ!
Jen- praying for you as well that you have supernatural recall and strength.
Thank you Jesus for the eternal life you bought us.
The verse about us being Christ’s ambassadors and God making His appeal to us – this verse is one that really sticks with me. I can feel the passion of it “we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (I would add a “!” Bc that is how it feels to me, lol) – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Isn’t that how we all feel? We look around at the world, our lost loved ones, those without hope.. and our hearts just shout, “God is real!!! The time is now!! There is real hope!! Don’t believe the lies!! Jesus loves you!!”
I think I had read some of the verses from this passage at my grandmother’s funeral. I come from a Catholic family, so it was very solemn as I got up to read the passage. But I prayed that the words would hit their hearts, that they would know that “we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” I love my family but it is hard to see people “know God” but not really know Him. Not every Catholic is that way, but I was raised in a family that church is more of an obligation rather than a moment to commune in love with God. It is hard to see people live empty lives, focused on wordly things.
I am believing still that God will start to change that in my family, especially with my siblings. Praying their eyes open up to see the fullness of God’s love and want to live with greater spiritual impact/authority. ❤️
Thank you again for the prayers. I go back to work today and am asking God to help me have wisdom and grace.
Happy Tuesday, Shes. He who has called us IS faithful. ❤️
Well said! In agreement with you!
Hope work goes well!
Praying for you! Beautiful share! ❤
Hope all goes well at your job – you are in my prayers!
Thank you for praying! Today was not stressful, thank you Jesus!! I made some small talk and he was kinder to me. Didnt feel it on my heart to address anything. I’m trying to just take it a day at a time and see how God leads me in this. :) the prayers are felt! I appreciate you all and those who have DM’ed me too :)
Great devo, Rebecca, thank you!
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Struck by 2 Corinthians 5: 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
And the last part of 6:2 … Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
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Guide me (us) Lord, please, to see opportunities to share with the lost.
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CEE GEE – thankful you’re feeling better!
LIBBY K – praying for your husband, you and your family, and for your MIL also in this painful situation.
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Praying for LAURA (daughter and upcoming gathering), HEIDI (school and husband), ALEIDA (Victor), MERCY (eyes), TERESA DONLEY (uplifted spirits and feeling the Lord’s guidance and comfort in your life), MICHELLE P (work situation & family dynamics), ADRIENNE (answers to medical mystery) and others.
Thank you, Searching ❤️
Thank you, sister! Love you! ❤
Thank you. ❤️❤️
Thank you for your prayers.
Father thank you for the gift of eternal life with You. Anen
REBECCA, This is so beautiful.
Thank you.♥️
We took the children camping a few times more than a couple, when they were younger.. we even invested in one of those ones on a trailer that kinda popped up into a beautiful living space with the individual sleeping quarters.. definitely NOT for me though, I do like my comforts, but my ex and the children were for sure, at home swimming in the river, looking for bugs and just enjoying nature and the treks and places of interest! It was always lovely to see them happy in the simplicity of life, when camping!
I am remembering a song from my childhood, This world is not my home
This world is not my home
I’m just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
I have a loving mother
Just up in Gloryland
And I don’t expect to stop
Until I shake her hand
She’s waiting now for me
In heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Just over in Gloryland
We’ll live eternally
The saints on every hand
Are shouting victory
Their songs of sweetest praise
Drift back from heaven’s shore
And I can’t feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home In this world any more..
The line, if Heaven’s not my home, then Lord what will I do.. really touched me..
BUT GOD..
He makes us comfortable in this waiting room we call home, He walks alongside us, guiding, directing and leading. In my stubbornness I may go off track, But God, always there, always watching, has His eye on these sparrows, and His arms ever faithfully wide ready to scoop, when life throws us lemons. And boy have we had our fair share of those!!!
I see my life here on earth as a blessing, a FREE AND UNMERITED FAVOUR OF GOD, Yes, even in the ups and downs, curves and bends, greats and not so greats..
I am for sure, anticipating that day, when I am called HOME, where I not only get to be with the saints and loved ones gone too soon, but I will be with the Father God, and life will be the very, very, very best it can ever, ever be..
AMEN.
Happy Tuesday, wonderful sisters. Showering you with much love and prayer filled blessings.♥️
We ARE sisters, TINA❤️ I join you in saying that camping is not for me. It sounds good, looks fun … but I was one and done.
That being said, we are camping out here on earth, in our waiting room … where, as it was so wonderfully pointed out by our sisters HEIDI, RHONDA J and others yesterday, we aren’t supposed to stay seated in that room or lounging in that tent – rather, we are to spread the truth and joy of Christ and salvation in Him.
Praying for the lost in my life, yours and our other sisters.
One and done!!! hahaha Same..I need comforts! I really wanted to do a my first missions trip in October, but I know I will not be able to handle it…and rather know I have lots of missions RIGHT here!! In a more comfortable tent! (laughing face emoji!)
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I relate. I much prefer a cozy bed than camping!!! Lol.
Same!
Thank you for sharing Tina! I never used to be a fan of camping but somehow it grew on me. Lol. We do quite a bit of tent camping in the summer when we are going salmon fishing.
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Silken sheets for sleeping bags!
Cozy couch for canvas!
Gas range for kerosene stove!
Yes indeed, home comfort v. camp.
Still we pray by lamplight if not by fire light.
Tina, that song brought back memories! It was a “staple” growing up in Sunday School – but we only ever sang the first verse and chorus, I had know idea there was more!