一般来说，我们最能意识到我们人类必朽的时刻，就是在看到一个亡故之人的遗体的时候。
使徒保罗为这种亡故提供了一个恰当的视角。他指出，今世的生命和身体是暂时的，我们整个人都渴望天上永恒的居所。当信徒咽下最后一口气时，他们不是被死亡吞噬，而是进入了生命。我们在这世上的帐篷生活结束了，我们会搬到一个耶稣已经为我们预备好了的新的地方（约14:2）。
当神赐给我们敬拜、关系、工作和见证的喜乐时，这帐篷中的生活会丰富多彩。但是，这只是预尝神的灵为将来所担保的、那等候我们的荣耀。
我母亲从来就不太喜欢露营，她在这世上的帐篷也常常被痛苦搞得支离破碎。在她去世前的那些日子里，我们聚在她床边，我们为自己悲伤，却为她高兴。她很快就要住到神那里去了！
当我们面对自己的死亡时，我们自然希望在这个熟悉的世界里和我们爱的人在一起。但作为基督徒，我们不会像没有指望的人那样悲伤，因为我们相信最好的还在后头！
主啊，我们有些人的帐篷已经开始破裂。当你呼召我们永远与你同在时，请让我们做好准备。求你以这个盼望来安慰我们。阿们。
哥林多后书 5:1-5
1我们原知道，我们这地上的帐篷若拆毁了，必得神所造，不是人手所造、在天上永存的房屋。
2我们在这帐篷里叹息，深想得那从天上来的房屋，好像穿上衣服。
3倘若穿上，被遇见的时候就不至于赤身了。
4我们在这帐篷里叹息劳苦，并非愿意脱下这个，乃是愿意穿上那个，好叫这必死的被生命吞灭了。
5为此培植我们的就是神，他又赐给我们圣灵做凭据。
"We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven. . . ." — 2 Corinthians 5:1
Generally the closest we come to realizing our human mortality is when we see the earthly remains of someone who has passed on to eternity.
The apostle Paul offers a fitting perspective on this passing. He points out that this life and body are temporary, and our whole being yearns for its permanent dwelling in heaven. When believers in Christ take their last breath, they are swallowed up by life and not death. Our camping adventure in these earthly tents is over, and we move into a new place that Jesus has prepared for us (John 14:2).
Life in these tents can be rich and full as God grants us joy in worship, relationships, work, and witness. But this is just a foretaste of the glory that awaits us, that the Spirit of God guarantees for our future.
My mother never much liked camping, and her earthly tent was often wracked with pain. As we gathered around her bedside in the days and hours before she passed away, we grieved for us but rejoiced for her. She would soon be taking up residence with God!
When we are faced with our own mortality, we naturally desire to stay with the people we love in this familiar world. But as Christians, we do not grieve as people without hope, for we believe the best is yet to come!
Lord, some of our tents are ripping at the seams and caving in. Prepare us for when you call us to be with you forever. Comfort us with that hope. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
