It is so different . . . the time zone . . . the surroundings . . . the vegetation . . . the sounds . . . the feeling of the air . . . the sun . . . and, oh so nice, the temperature. Yesterday I entered a cylinder. Six hours later I walked out and everything was different . . . did I mention the temperature? And I’m sitting on the balcony this morning . . . listening to birds sing . . . the sound of running water in a man-made water feature below . . . the sight and sound of the ocean waves crashing on the beach less than a football field away . . . and I read this in 2Corinthians 5 this morning . . .

“For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens . . . our heavenly dwelling . . . that we would 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.” (2Corinthians 5:1-5 ESV)

I’m thinking about that “new home” in that new place. A body and constitution so different from what I experience today. I’ll enter some sort of cylinder . . . whether death or a “hold on to your hats” vertical ascent at His coming . . . though it won’t be no 6 hours, but in the twinkling of an eye . . . and I’ll move into that new building . . . that heavenly dwelling located in a place whose beauty is beyond imagination . . . and then it really starts happening . . . when mortality is swallowed up by life.

I love that phrase! . . . “swallowed up by life.”

If I think this is living . . . being here in this “sun place” on this ocean shore . . . well . . . I ain’t seen nothin’ yet! No matter how great this is, it is still just mortality . . . this is earth-based reality . . . this is “subject to death” passing of time . . . this is “in the process of being redeemed” living. But then one day, o’ what a glorious day, it’s gonna be swallowed up by life . . . true life! Gulp!!!

This “life” will be devoured . . . destroyed . . . as it gives way to the real thing. Everything will be so different . . . the time zone (or lack thereof) . . . the surroundings . . . the sounds . . . the sights . . . and the Son! Yes, the Son . . . oh how I anticipate the Son. While we had to make our own arrangements to get to this place, it is God who has prepared the way and made the reservations for my mortality to be swallowed up by life . . . through His Son.

For our sake He [the Father] made Him [Jesus, His precious Son] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2Corinthians 5:21)

As wonderful as being swallowed up by life will be . . . as unbelievable as putting on immortality will be . . . as unimaginable as trying to take in the sights and sounds of heaven will be . . . it will pale as the Spirit directs my attention to the Savior. As I look upon the One who knew no sin and became sin for me. As I behold His sun-like radiance and yet notice His nail-scarred hands. As incredible as it will be to “take possession” of the new house, it will be the Master Builder that draws my attention . . . my awe . .. my facedown worship. And it will Him who swallows me up . . . for He is life . . . and life to the full.

Yeah, it’s kind of neat to be here . . . but oh, what will it be to be there? . . . to be swallowed up by life?

Something to chew on . . . in this warm place (did I mention the temperature) . . . for my blessing . . . and for His glory . . . amen?