We have eternal life, and should know that we have it
When you go on a camping trip, your tent is very important, and you value it and give it proper care. But it is a tent, a temporary home, so you don't line it with fine silk or emboss your monogram on it in gold leaf. Yes, it's true that some nomadic peoples do have most gorgeous tents, however these are their true homes whereas your tent is not your true home. When you go camping, you take only the very essential things
Your physical body is a "tent"
Having spoken of sufficiency, let's now think of efficiency. Some reckon this means cramming as much action as possible into every moment. That idea is a legacy of the industrial era. Commitment to an unrelenting schedule prevents us from doing what the old song advises:
Have you ever wondered why Jesus did not ride a horse? He could have taken care of the financial and legal requirements for owing a beast, just as he took care of the problem of paying his taxes. But Jesus preferred to walk. He didn't think it was more efficient to go
"Redeeming the time"
It may seem a strange thing to say, but we can be guilty of too much caring. We shouldn't spoil others with our kindness, nor should they demand unnecessary service of us. Don't do for others what you can teach them to do for themselves. That is as much a golden rule as the better known one. In many cases, where relationships have soured, it may be more helpful to stop doing for others what they don't need done. We may fear a reflection upon our love and honour. But being made to feel guilty is only part of
It's hard to relate to your true Master, and the glorious life he offers you, when you are imprisoned in earthly relationships that chronically frustrate you
Parents are to give their children "Nurture and admonition"
Sometimes the main reason for a relationship failure is that one party didn't know when to say "no", or didn't think it was allowed. When people became too demanding, of his apostles, Jesus said, "Come aside to a quiet place and rest"
Like most things in life, education is good in moderation. The wise man said, "Of making many books there is no end" . He advised against excessive devotion to study. He said that the main thing in life is "to fear God and keep his commandments"
Paul observed that, among Christians, there were "Not many wise" regarding worldly wisdom and knowledge. But Christians knew the most important thing, namely "the message of the cross"
Examine your daily life. Is the hope of eternal life reflected in your daily living, in the way you conduct your life on earth? Or is that hope overwhelmed by the luxuries you provide for your body, the busy schedule that constrains your time, the
A life burdened with more than is really needful, is a life out of sympathy with the hope of heaven. No wonder we cannot relate our daily lives to eternal life, and we start feeling like misfits or hypocrites