I like to go to the movies. I like the big screen, the smell of popcorn in the lobby, the experience of being drawn into the story with the dark theater blocking out distractions. But before the actual movie begins you have to endure several advertisements and previews of coming attractions. These days, with computer graphics and advanced sound the previews try to overwhelm you with impact to impress you enough to come back and buy a ticket. They have a challenge of communicating enough of the essence of the film to entice you and plant the seed of interest in a short time frame. As I read through 2 Corinthians 5 this morning I realized that I am living in the Preview now and will not be at the show itself until I reach Heaven. Listen to this "coming attraction": (verse 1) 1 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. The "earthly house" is all we've known so far so how do we "know" there is an eternal house awaiting us? God has given us a "personal preview". Verse 5: 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
As a result, we begin to realize that we have been living here in the Preview...but the show, itself, is yet to fully begin. Previews can be exciting but they don't tell the whole story. The reassurance of the Spirit, through illuminating scripture, guiding our walk, correcting our steps and providing gifts allows us to have a confidence that the Preview can be relied on as a sure indication that the eternal show is truly coming. Verses 6-7: 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
With such a great Preview we begin to store up an excitement about that day when the main show comes to our theater and, without distraction, eternity unrolls.
Verse 8: 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
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