I've lived in my fair share of "tents." Growing up in a military family will do that. Marrying a realtor will do that, too. I was a foreigner in a foreign land (Turkey) and a foreigner in familiar lands (Colorado, Texas, Arkansas). We set up "tents" and tore them down, found new friends and lost them, loved churches and left them. How I longed to stay, to be rooted in one place! I've been homesick all my life, always longing for a permanent dwelling. And that ache in my chest? It's only growing stronger. No "tent" will ease it. I know now what it is I'm truly longing for: my Father's kingdom. And I will be happily homesick until I am finally and fully at home with Him.
Confession I love tents in this life. The mobility and promise of something more simple. You have what you have, nothing more. You are mobile and not tied to worldly possessions. This idea is crazy for some.
Yet when I think of this for our bodies isn’t that exactly what we truly are longing for? Simplicity. Dwelling with our Lord. Letting the spirit work. Getting out of the way so He can work in our lives. Doing this daily, doing it without distraction. I long for that day.
Simplicity—yes! When we lived abroad (carrying everything in one suitcase and one backpack for almost two years), it was the simplicity that became an unexpected delight. I LIKED only having two pairs of jeans. I LIKED being able to say no to purchases because where would I put that. It gave us this strong filter for what came into our lives. I miss it.
I don't think living in tents had the same sometimes negative connotations for the people in that time, location, and culture that it does for us today. When David wanted to build a house for God to replace the tent (tabernacle), God said He had never asked for a house but had gone everywhere with the Israelites - He didn't "need" a house. The people in Corinth were city dwellers and thus in a different culture and environment than Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and thus probably had different thoughts of tents. For us, I think the main thing is somewhat allegorical. And if you live in a tent, you have to be a bit more intentional about the things you do and how you do them than in a more permanent structure, thinking and weighing options. We certainly need to be more intentional in how we live in preparation for the new heaven and new earth, our longed-for permanent home.
The ancient connotation piece is maybe up for discussion, but it seems wandering tribes were always viewed with suspicion by settled people. And history looks down on nomads—considering them less sophisticated.
Well, you're right. Maybe I'm just thinking that nomadic living was more common then than now, and as you said, the people we're talking about were quite wealthy and "glamping" as opposed to the poor and necessarily minimalistic tent dwellers. I have read about much more sophisticated tent living in some ancient societies than is my automatic thought of tent living - and I've learned that even today's Boy Scouts' tent times are less primitive than my long-ago days of camping.
hey, no prob.....i didn't really think through my first comment, either...these folks were wealthy but were still somewhat nomadic (even if they had set spots through which they regularly moved based on food, water, etc. resources)....and nomads were not at the top of anybody's ladder
A tent is a temporary and destructible dwelling. It provides some shelter but can’t stand up against a strong storm. It’s such a good application for our physical bodies!
I think one reason "tent symbolism" is so important because the ONLY source of permanence we can rely on in life is God. Our friends will move on... our family will pass away... Jesus calls us to store up our heavenly treasures. In the west especially, it is so easy to put all of our trust in material things... even the disciples remarked about the great stones of the temple. Maybe another idea is that, if our dwelling is temporary, we can follow the calling of God more easily. We can follow the cloud, the fire, the hint of the new city... whatever it is.
Yes! As soon as we start pouring concrete foundations we get ideas about permanence. In life, it’s best to stay in the ready position, ready to go, ready to move, ready to change. Of course we invest in the world around us. Of course we practice love and care. But we do it with open hands.
Paul talks about living in the earthly tent and describes why he'd rather not, but he also goes on to say "we are of good courage" - twice. He was determined to move forward despite all circumstances and exhorts us to do the same. I may have to live in the earthly tent for now, with aches, pains, and some medications. But the promise of an eternal home with God helps me look past the tent I'm in and forward to a glorious future home.
I think the tent symbolism is used much throughout scripture because essentially we are to live like a nomad if you will as we follow Jesus. I think about how Jesus stated in Matthew 8 how birds have nests, foxes have holes but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. Jesus modeled this because he knew this was not his final destination. To live this out today is not being attached to anything per se that would hinder us being delay in obeying God instantly. Meaning our possessions, money, status, etc.
The “tent living” made me think of something you said once…maybe in one of your books, or videos, or podcasts haha…not sure…but you talked about living with our hands open…not holding so tightly to what God has given us…knowing He may take it, and trusting Him enough to know it’s okay….I think the tents give that idea…never gripping and holding tightly to how things are or what we have…trusting God knows what we need, and following wear He leads.
Hey there Kimmie…my experience of getting a “taste” of God’s promise but not its full fulfillment has looked like this recently: God called my husband to leave his successful job last fall, the highest paying job he’s ever had. We thought we had another job lined up, so my husband quit, fully believing that’s what God had asked him to do. Then, living on savings, the promised job fell through in a very bizarre way, and despite many promising interviews, it’s now a year and a half later and he has not found a replacement full-time job. We’ve gotten so many tastes of God’s favor and presence…His provision for us, His delight in us, His leading into deeper wells of intimacy with Him, plus several part-time jobs to pay the bills. But did I believe when He called us out that He would lead us into some big, amazing new job that fulfilled all of my husband’s dreams? Yeah, I kinda did. 🙃 And that hasn’t happened. We have not had any profound moment of searing clarity to help us understand what this has all been for. We feel very much like we are living in a promised land (we know God is here) but no one has officially given us the deed, so to speak. We’re just here, waiting where God asked us to be, for however long it takes, with open hands. I can’t say I’m great at all this waiting. But I’m better at it now than I was a year and a half ago. 🙂
The first time my kid says thank you on her own without prompting (God promises attentive parenting pays off in Proverbs). She may not do it again for weeks. A taste!
Laughter at a funeral (God promises joy) after days of darkness. More darkness might come. But the laughter is a taste!
I’m doing something hard that God asked me to do and I don’t see how I could finish it but I get a burst of energy and am able to make headway (God promises strength). I may not finish for a while but that gift of energy in a moment is a taste!
I can see a couple of reasons why a tent is used. Our lives on this earth is limited. In faith, we traverse this land knowing our lasting home, our promised land, is in heaven. The picking up and putting down the tent makes me think of the challenges we receive in this life; we get to explore our faith; learn from our poor decision, heal, and go again. Each time we must pick up the tent stake we are putting down a foundation faith stone in our future home in heaven.
God often teaches me in the mundane, in the simple things that must be done again and again. My attitude changes; I gain a new skill; I become adept and can be in a space to explore, wander, and grow again.
I am trying to learn that Yahweh wants me to grow, to be strong in m faith, my love for him, my knowing of him. That requires a journey with him; one that moves , one that challenges, one that proves as in raising an pounding of bread dough, helping me to grow in perspective and faith.
I’ve always been interested in the fact that the early church was originally called “the way,” as if movement was at the heart of following Jesus. He doesn’t stand still, does He? Just like Israel followed the cloud, we’re also setting up and tearing down regularly in our pursuit of Him.
When I forget about the city that has foundations, I get stuck on a loop of thinking about previous campsites and wishing I could go back to them, wishing they were more permanent. And then I end up sad and homesick, devastated really. I see that pattern throughout my life. Always wanting to go back to those “tastes”.
This is helpful for me. Helps me make sense of my bent toward longing and frame it properly.
I've lived in my fair share of "tents." Growing up in a military family will do that. Marrying a realtor will do that, too. I was a foreigner in a foreign land (Turkey) and a foreigner in familiar lands (Colorado, Texas, Arkansas). We set up "tents" and tore them down, found new friends and lost them, loved churches and left them. How I longed to stay, to be rooted in one place! I've been homesick all my life, always longing for a permanent dwelling. And that ache in my chest? It's only growing stronger. No "tent" will ease it. I know now what it is I'm truly longing for: my Father's kingdom. And I will be happily homesick until I am finally and fully at home with Him.
Happily homesick! We’re going to talk more about that in coming days. I think it’s not just possible but worth making our ambition.
Confession I love tents in this life. The mobility and promise of something more simple. You have what you have, nothing more. You are mobile and not tied to worldly possessions. This idea is crazy for some.
Yet when I think of this for our bodies isn’t that exactly what we truly are longing for? Simplicity. Dwelling with our Lord. Letting the spirit work. Getting out of the way so He can work in our lives. Doing this daily, doing it without distraction. I long for that day.
Simplicity—yes! When we lived abroad (carrying everything in one suitcase and one backpack for almost two years), it was the simplicity that became an unexpected delight. I LIKED only having two pairs of jeans. I LIKED being able to say no to purchases because where would I put that. It gave us this strong filter for what came into our lives. I miss it.
I don't think living in tents had the same sometimes negative connotations for the people in that time, location, and culture that it does for us today. When David wanted to build a house for God to replace the tent (tabernacle), God said He had never asked for a house but had gone everywhere with the Israelites - He didn't "need" a house. The people in Corinth were city dwellers and thus in a different culture and environment than Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and thus probably had different thoughts of tents. For us, I think the main thing is somewhat allegorical. And if you live in a tent, you have to be a bit more intentional about the things you do and how you do them than in a more permanent structure, thinking and weighing options. We certainly need to be more intentional in how we live in preparation for the new heaven and new earth, our longed-for permanent home.
The ancient connotation piece is maybe up for discussion, but it seems wandering tribes were always viewed with suspicion by settled people. And history looks down on nomads—considering them less sophisticated.
Well, you're right. Maybe I'm just thinking that nomadic living was more common then than now, and as you said, the people we're talking about were quite wealthy and "glamping" as opposed to the poor and necessarily minimalistic tent dwellers. I have read about much more sophisticated tent living in some ancient societies than is my automatic thought of tent living - and I've learned that even today's Boy Scouts' tent times are less primitive than my long-ago days of camping.
You’re exactly right! Didn’t mean to come down on you. :) I wrote that first comment in the hairstylist’s chair. 🤪
hey, no prob.....i didn't really think through my first comment, either...these folks were wealthy but were still somewhat nomadic (even if they had set spots through which they regularly moved based on food, water, etc. resources)....and nomads were not at the top of anybody's ladder
A tent is a temporary and destructible dwelling. It provides some shelter but can’t stand up against a strong storm. It’s such a good application for our physical bodies!
When I think about living as foreigners in tents today I think of the hymn:
“This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through;
My treasures are laid up somewhere behind the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door;
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
And Where I Belong by Building 429
I think one reason "tent symbolism" is so important because the ONLY source of permanence we can rely on in life is God. Our friends will move on... our family will pass away... Jesus calls us to store up our heavenly treasures. In the west especially, it is so easy to put all of our trust in material things... even the disciples remarked about the great stones of the temple. Maybe another idea is that, if our dwelling is temporary, we can follow the calling of God more easily. We can follow the cloud, the fire, the hint of the new city... whatever it is.
Yes! As soon as we start pouring concrete foundations we get ideas about permanence. In life, it’s best to stay in the ready position, ready to go, ready to move, ready to change. Of course we invest in the world around us. Of course we practice love and care. But we do it with open hands.
Paul talks about living in the earthly tent and describes why he'd rather not, but he also goes on to say "we are of good courage" - twice. He was determined to move forward despite all circumstances and exhorts us to do the same. I may have to live in the earthly tent for now, with aches, pains, and some medications. But the promise of an eternal home with God helps me look past the tent I'm in and forward to a glorious future home.
I think the tent symbolism is used much throughout scripture because essentially we are to live like a nomad if you will as we follow Jesus. I think about how Jesus stated in Matthew 8 how birds have nests, foxes have holes but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. Jesus modeled this because he knew this was not his final destination. To live this out today is not being attached to anything per se that would hinder us being delay in obeying God instantly. Meaning our possessions, money, status, etc.
The “tent living” made me think of something you said once…maybe in one of your books, or videos, or podcasts haha…not sure…but you talked about living with our hands open…not holding so tightly to what God has given us…knowing He may take it, and trusting Him enough to know it’s okay….I think the tents give that idea…never gripping and holding tightly to how things are or what we have…trusting God knows what we need, and following wear He leads.
That's it!
Yesterday and today I kept thinking about the old spiritual "A City Called Heaven", sung by Jubilant Sykes. Search for it and enjoy!
Will do!
Can someone give me an example of what a “taste” might be?
Hey there Kimmie…my experience of getting a “taste” of God’s promise but not its full fulfillment has looked like this recently: God called my husband to leave his successful job last fall, the highest paying job he’s ever had. We thought we had another job lined up, so my husband quit, fully believing that’s what God had asked him to do. Then, living on savings, the promised job fell through in a very bizarre way, and despite many promising interviews, it’s now a year and a half later and he has not found a replacement full-time job. We’ve gotten so many tastes of God’s favor and presence…His provision for us, His delight in us, His leading into deeper wells of intimacy with Him, plus several part-time jobs to pay the bills. But did I believe when He called us out that He would lead us into some big, amazing new job that fulfilled all of my husband’s dreams? Yeah, I kinda did. 🙃 And that hasn’t happened. We have not had any profound moment of searing clarity to help us understand what this has all been for. We feel very much like we are living in a promised land (we know God is here) but no one has officially given us the deed, so to speak. We’re just here, waiting where God asked us to be, for however long it takes, with open hands. I can’t say I’m great at all this waiting. But I’m better at it now than I was a year and a half ago. 🙂
The first time my kid says thank you on her own without prompting (God promises attentive parenting pays off in Proverbs). She may not do it again for weeks. A taste!
Laughter at a funeral (God promises joy) after days of darkness. More darkness might come. But the laughter is a taste!
I’m doing something hard that God asked me to do and I don’t see how I could finish it but I get a burst of energy and am able to make headway (God promises strength). I may not finish for a while but that gift of energy in a moment is a taste!
You are living this so well, Bethany!
Thank you for sharing ❤️
I can see a couple of reasons why a tent is used. Our lives on this earth is limited. In faith, we traverse this land knowing our lasting home, our promised land, is in heaven. The picking up and putting down the tent makes me think of the challenges we receive in this life; we get to explore our faith; learn from our poor decision, heal, and go again. Each time we must pick up the tent stake we are putting down a foundation faith stone in our future home in heaven.
God often teaches me in the mundane, in the simple things that must be done again and again. My attitude changes; I gain a new skill; I become adept and can be in a space to explore, wander, and grow again.
I am trying to learn that Yahweh wants me to grow, to be strong in m faith, my love for him, my knowing of him. That requires a journey with him; one that moves , one that challenges, one that proves as in raising an pounding of bread dough, helping me to grow in perspective and faith.
I’ve always been interested in the fact that the early church was originally called “the way,” as if movement was at the heart of following Jesus. He doesn’t stand still, does He? Just like Israel followed the cloud, we’re also setting up and tearing down regularly in our pursuit of Him.
When I forget about the city that has foundations, I get stuck on a loop of thinking about previous campsites and wishing I could go back to them, wishing they were more permanent. And then I end up sad and homesick, devastated really. I see that pattern throughout my life. Always wanting to go back to those “tastes”.
This is helpful for me. Helps me make sense of my bent toward longing and frame it properly.
I hadn’t given a lot of thought about what it was like for Abraham living as foreigner, constantly moving in what was to be his land.
A tent is a great reminder that this life is not permanent. Loved all of the perspectives everyone had.