Training Ground

Humans have an uncanny ability to make a place a home. We buy a building, fill it with our things, sleep and eat meals there, we raise our families there, and we call it home. We make it comfortable by surrounding ourselves with things that make us happy. We find vacation spots or turn our backyards into an oasis in an attempt to find rest and relaxation. But what if we were not meant to find our rest in this world? What if this world was not meant to make us comfortable or happy?

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” (Philippians 1:27a)

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” (Philippians 3:20)

When we think of this world as a place that is supposed to make us feel comfortable and happy, a place where we can rest and relax, then it is easy to find things with which to be annoyed or frustrated. The problem is our perspective. Our true home is not here on this earth and we were never meant to find our rest here.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” (Matthew 11:28-29)

This world was never intended to make us happy or comfortable or give us rest; we find all of that in Christ Jesus. When Jesus taught that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter Heaven, it is easy to assume that Jesus was referring to merely the amount of money the rich person had; but what if Jesus was referring to riches in every sense: circumstances, health, popularity? It is hard for someone who is rich in “good circumstances” or “good health” to depend on God because their situation may lead them to a perceived contented happiness apart from God (perceived because there is no real goodness or happiness or contentedness apart from God.) C.S. Lewis said, “God wants to give you a real and eternal happiness, consequently, He may have to take all of these ‘riches’ away from you. If He doesn’t, you will go on relying on them.”

“‘Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.’” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Instead of viewing this world as a place of comfort, happiness, and relaxation, what if you viewed this world as a training ground? What if this world was a place to practice your patience? Maybe then you wouldn’t see your neighbor as annoying, but as someone God has put in your life to help you practice patience and to get better at loving your neighbor. What if this world was a training ground for gaining control of your anger? Then those things that are constantly making you angry aren’t the frustrating annoyances you once thought they were—they are opportunities for you to grow in control of your own anger. What if this world was a training ground to grow your trust in God? Then every trial that comes before you is not a grievance meant to harm you, but an opportunity to grow closer to God. If our true home is in Heaven, then this world is just a training ground for the next.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.