“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2Cor 4:16-18)

It’s a prize which eludes most people, even the successful ones. How many multi-A students do you know who never seem to be satisfied with their grades, always in fear of the next exam (I’m a teacher, so I see this a lot…)? How many richer-than-average people are there who look and talk like they’re about to be food insecure very soon? How many prettier-than-plastic women (they’re usually women but men aren’t entirely exempted here) behave as if three new moles are about to erupt on their cheeks, even after spending bombs and bombs in the salon? How many more techie whiz kids will our society produce who never seem to enjoy his new toys for more than a week or so (this is one reason why I find repulsive the idea that I need to actually spend money to replace my 10-year-old cancer afflicted hand-phone when there are so many non-used, ignored though perfectly functioning mobiles just SITTING in many a teenagers’ cabinet!)?

It’s almost as if no matter how much one attains the symbols of success in this life, one is never gratified. It’s like the finish line keeps moving. Like the policy which never matures, the sleep-debt that’s never paid off, the sickness that doesn’t leave.

Now 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 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 with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” (2Cor 5:1-4)

What you can see won’t last. What can die isn’t life. What’s embodied isn’t near to God. Maybe that’s the answer. That the here-and-now life we have is also the less-than-full one awaiting us.

I can’t wait to be ‘swallowed up’ by the life God wants to give me. In the meantime, I will look forward to my heavenly residency and new God-sown clothes by inviting Him spread the sweet honey of eternity over the stale bread of the present. That our time here would be deliciously full, fulfilling and overflowing with the goodness of Jesus.

(Meditation contributed by Alwyn)