between the wearing of the ashes and the bestowing of the crown

This passage from 2 Corinthians 5 reminds me of the tension of the already, but not yet.  The tension of the now - between the wearing of the ashes and the bestowing of the crown of beauty... 

v1 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.  v2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,  v3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. v4 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.  v5 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.

Whether the earthly tent here refers to the house in which I reside or the flesh in which I abide, it is not really a matter of "if" they will be destroyed, but "when" they will crumble and decay...  and when that comes to pass, may it be that I will trust the hands of the Heavenly Father to provide shelter for my head and my soul.
And while still in this world and this flesh - both of which have fallen in sin - I groan.  I groan because of the pain experienced and inflicted - because this is not how it was meant to be... and because of the work of Christ, this is not how it will be.  I long for that day when all will be set right and all is made new...
No sin and no shame.  I will not be found lacking, falling short.  I will be clothed, filled, swallowed up by life.
This hope is guaranteed by the Spirit - living in me, interceding for me, leading me toward what is to come - beauty for ashes...