LET'S PLAY TENTS

For we know that if the earthly tent
which is our house is torn down, we
have a building from God, a house
not made with hands, eternal in the

.II Corinthians 5:1

When of younger elementary age, my sister Kay and I loved making tents to play in. We could make tents out of most anything....sheets, quilts or bed spreads. We especially loved doing this on rainy days. We could do the usual turning kitchen chairs over or even putting sheets over the table itself. There was a chicken wire fence outside we would use by putting one end of a quilt on that fence and hold it there with clothes pins. Then we would pull the quilt out and put rocks on the edges. We were as creative as we needed to be.

After tents were made, out came our dolls, play dishes and pillows. I've often heard and believe that play for young children is just practice for the adult years. That's why the choice of toys is so important. For children, toys are work but they don't know it yet. Before my sister went to Heaven, we talked one night about our tents. Even as adults, there were occasional longings to crawl back into one of those tents if even sometime for a good cry.

Tents in America are nothing new. They were used by people for residences both permanent and temporary. Tents have been used for recreation. People still like camping using tents. Boy and Girl Scout camps many years ago used tents for sleeping. Military personnel during wars often lived in large tents. Some places in our country, there are still evangelists who hold evangelistic meetings in large tents. Wedding reception tents may be leased for after ceremony festivities that are lovely often with chandeliers provided.

Tents were very common in Scripture. The first one I recall is when Sarah standing just inside her tent, letting out a laugh when she heard the men Abraham was entertaining say that she would be having a baby. Those Israelites leaving Egypt lived in tents as they traveled to the Promised Land. They had to be ready to pack up quickly when God gave the signal to move on to another location. For those folks, tents weren't something to play in. They were necessary shelters.

The most precious and elaborate tent in the wilderness was the Tabernacle...the place of sacrifice, forgiveness and presence of God in the Holy of Holies . To even refer to it as a tent seems trite, but it was a tent fixture, quite large for the purpose it was designed for. It's properties were numerous, each with meaning according to God's plan. It was perhaps the most revered tent in the entire history of God's people.

As human beings, we have no need of tents as our permanent dwelling places. Those for recreation are fine, but most folks are happy to get back to their permanent residences with a roof, walls, floors and all things familiar. In days of Scripture, for many, tents were their regular habitation. The Apostle Paul was a tent maker. In fact, during his ministry, he often subsidized his own upkeep by the making of tents.

In Matthew 17:4, we find a very familiar mention of tents. The location was the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah. In that one verse, Peter said to Jesus:

...”Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish,

I will make three tabernacles (sacred tents) here,

one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Of course, Jesus took care of the situation as only Jesus could.

In our day, the most important tent we have is this body in which we presently dwell. The opening verse I used tells us that this tent (body) we live in is temporary. If truth be known, we play too much in these tents. However, Scripture tells us that like other tents, these physical tents are only temporary. God has a building for us in the heavens, not made with hands that will be eternal. Our tents here are only temporary, but in Heaven all will be permanent as God has planned for His children. Then we will be home like never before..no need for renovations, or moving. Meanwhile, these tents are all we have to use for God's glory in the present. As believers, we live in our “tents”(bodies), but we have company that will be with us until God calls us to our real home...that being the Holy Spirit. What more could we ask for...God with us, in our tents.

Father God, You have equipt us for Glory, our permanent home. Thank You for the way you love and provide for us. While here, help us to use our “tents” to bless others and glorify You. In Jesus' precious name...Amen