Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 5:1-5
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling—if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Thought for the Day: It is Valentine’s Day, and though many won’t see it in the above passage, what Paul is presenting is a love story like no other. It is not a traditional love story that we would see on the big screen or read in a tacky romance novel. In fact, Paul presents for his readers a story about love that actually does not use the word love. Yet as we all know, the word love can be tossed around without much meaning or substance. Sure, we want to have that special someone say to us, “I love you,” but even better would be for that special someone to show us the love. And for Paul, he experiences God’s love through the promise that is guaranteed by the Spirit. Unlike love in this world that too often falls short of what is promised and does not come through in the end, God has already contructed a house for us in heaven. It is built because it says this house is eternal in the heavens. It has been there from before time even existed, and it will stretch beyond any point the human mind can imagine. That’s one of the ways God’s love goes beyond words.
Prayer: Thank you, Eternal God, for going beyond words in expressing your love. Thank you for showing me this love through Jesus and then holding in heaven a promise that shall never end. Amen.
