The Real World

"Things we can see, taste, touch, feel, smell, things like that... those are things that make up the natural world."

Hmmm... I thought as I sat in Biology class, listening to my professor.

"Spiritual things, 'religious' things, and stuff like that, you can't really perceive them so they're not part of the natural world. The natural world makes up the 'real world' so to speak."

Does it? Immediately my mind was somewhere besides Biology class. What do you think God? These words were suddenly ringing loud and clear in my ears,

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthains 4:18 (Thanks to Tami who sent me this very verse and reference today!)

Hmm... what is the real world? While I understand the point my professor was trying to make, I couldn't help but dwell on those words from God as he continued talking. I looked around at the tables I could touch, the chair that supported my weight, the people I could see. Yet still I wondered, Is this the real world? The question haunted me most of the afternoon and evening. Finally I pulled out my Bible and looked up the words that had come to me during class, and I think I got my answer. The verses following say this:

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, gauranteeing what is to come." 2 Cor. 5:1-5

It seems to me that this world is just a small part of the real world God has in mind. Here's what God had to say about some other people who had a good grasp of His real world.

(Speaking of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others.)

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own... they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one." Hebrews 11:13-16. Earlier (v.10) it says this city is "...the city with foundations, whose architect and buider is God."

I don't know about you, but I have trouble sometimes remembering: this isn't it. This is just a temporary assignment. This world is all about preparing for the real world. "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us: Be reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

For some reason this gets me fired up. To know that we can be a part of God's real, significant, eternal world! He wants us to be a part of it. He wants it so bad He gave up His son to make it possible! 2 Cor. 5:21 says, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." If you've put all your trust in what Jesus Christ did on the cross to pay your fine, God says you get to be a part of that world, both now and for eternity. How amazing is that!

So what does it mean for us right now while we are here? Besides holding the position of ambassadors from God's World, here's a couple more things:

"For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:3.

"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthains 5:7

Check out how Moses handled it: "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27

In light of this fallen world we live in, these verses give me such great hope. What amazing truth! And while we're here, we have an unbelievable opportunity to be part of a great adventure, a great "mission trip." Every day we get to watch closely, we get a chance to catch a glimpse of "him who is invisible."


Blessed Assurance
Jesus is mine
Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!
Watching and waiting
Looking above
Filled with His goodness,
Lost in His love.


(note: all italics and bold lettering added by me)