Reading Through The New Testament In 2016. Day 153. 2 Corinthians 5

Life is hard.

That’s the impression I’m getting from Paul in the past 2 chapters, and he’s right.

Life is hard.

For example, as you’re reading this I’m assuming you’re getting ready for your day. You might be waiting for the coffee pot to ding, you might be rushing into the shower, you might be thinking about all that you have to do today…

There’s a staff meeting.

A TPS report is due today.

Your kids are late for school.

All the while there’s probably a part deep within you that is groaning. When can I rest? When can I have joy? Why am I here?

Paul says we are groaning for heaven. We’re groaning for home. It’s as if this “tent” — as paul puts it — isn’t really our home.

Then why are we here? What are we meant to do with all this groaning? How am I meant to live today in this tent that doesn’t feel like home?

We have been given this day — the day of the TPS report, and the meeting, and so on — this day, to bring more heaven to earth. To live today to please God. To use this day, this life, this body to please the Lord.

As if this life is a test that someday we will be graded on. How well did you live your life in this body?

This is why you have been given this day:

God is reconciling the world back to himself and he’s using you to do it. You’re an ambassador for this God that welcomes all to come home.

So, even though it’s a battle and it’s hard and we’re tired and we just want to go camping.

Today is a gift to be God’s ambassador of reconciliation.

So, take a moment to listen to your co-worker at the water cooler and see how God wants to reconcile them back to himself.

When your kid is telling you about a weird dream you had and you are busy getting ready, stop and listen and show them how much God loves them.

When your boss is being awful again, pray for them and serve them.

Life is hard, but it is also a gift, and it is short.

And one day we’ll sit before Christ and he’ll ask us what we did with today. So, don’t waste it.