davidbowerkingwood

School Girl

You don’t know a nicer occupation

In 1956 a song was released that became very popular, “Standing on the Corner Watching all the Girls Go By” The song started out like this:

“Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by
Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by
Brother you don’t know a nicer occupation
Matter of fact, neither do I
Than standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by”

While the practice of girl watching is likely as old as humanity; the thought was set to a catchy tune and became very popular for several years and recorded by notable singers of the time.

Whether its boys watching girls, girls watching boys, babies watching babies, or just people watching people the practice of watching others has a well-established history of popularity. Over the years I have watched people with some interest and noticed the changes that have taken place as time passed by.

I no longer see “girls” or “boys,” I see human beings with a past, present, and a future; I wonder if they are spiritually dead or alive; I wonder what they are thinking and the nature of their concerns. Age has completely changed my perspective on people watching; time takes its toll on all of us and that happens somewhat more quickly than we may imagine.

The Visible Part of us is Temporary

The Bible reveals that the visible part of each of us is the only part that was not redeemed at the point of our new birth; while spiritually, every Christian has been born again into eternal spiritual life, our physical bodies still suffer under the Adamic curse and simply cannot accompany us into our eternity with God. Paul describes our physical bodies as tents in order to illustrate our short-term relationship with them.

Despite their temporary nature, they are the only part of us visible to human perception and therefore all too easily inextricably associated with the eternal spirit they contain. It requires a leap of faith to separate the tent from its occupant but that is what the Bible reveals to us; it must be discarded or transformed.

Paul goes on to explain, in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 it is written:

“5 For 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. ² Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, ³ because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

I’m particularly fond of Paul’s use of the tent as a symbol for our mortal bodies; we occupy these earthly bodies for a brief season then we move on in accordance with God’s plan. Nevertheless, there is an undeniable charm for me in tent watching; I have found it endlessly fascinating just to watch the tents go by and wonder about them. One thing for sure; they are like a book, they cannot be judged by their cover!

Tents Get Old and Wear Out

I’ve now occupied my tent for 86 years and it is beginning to show some signs of wear and tear around the edges. All told, it has been a faithful tent and has performed its designated job very well; I have no complaints at all (although being left-handed has produced some awkward moments).

Years ago, I made peace with the reality surrounding my tent and realized there would come a time when I must lay it aside and move on; I must admit I hope that time is in the more distant future! There is still much I want to do with the time I’ve been allotted and continue to rejoice in the deposit I’ve been given in the person of God, the Holy Spirit.

Next time, “You and Your Tent”