Moments are but Shadows

At the Alpine Center on Trail Ridge Road,
Rocky Mountain National Park

We recently returned from Colorado where we were captivated by the beauty of the mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park at every turn of the road and every vista from the trail.  It was amazing the effort we took in order to experience a few moments soaking in the next grand panorama.  We climbed boulders, drove up roads so narrow and twisting that traffic was only allowed one way, hiked (apparently along with 100's of others) several miles...and all this after driving over a 1000 miles in order to see shadows.  Not shadows created by mountains and trees blocking the sun, but mere shadows of the glory of their creator.  

No doubt these shadows are real, yet they are only temporary delightful reflections of the greater reality of God himself, the very fountain of delight, beauty and existence.  How easy it is to marvel at the grand mountains of the Rockies and to gain great pleasure from not only seeing these massive geographical wonders, but to seek through hiking, biking, climbing, and rafting to extract every possible pleasurable experience.  Then in an effort to prolong the pleasure, we photograph the highlights of our experience.  We then share these breathtaking moments with others through means like Facebook.  All of this is good, but in itself, it's all just enjoying shadows. (See Romans 1)

Our daily existence isn't really much different from our journey to the Rockies.  True, the views may not be as magnificent, but our pursuits are largely the same.  We pursue moments of passing pleasure.  Moments which are but reflections are shadows, intended by our Creator to point us on towards the ultimately reality of Himself, but moments and experiences which we treat as though they themselves were the end all or ultimate prize.  

While on our vacation, I read in You Can Change by Tim Chester,  "One of our problems is that we think only of moments.  In the moment, we think the pleasures of sin are real and the joy of God is insubstantial or distant.  But in truth it's the other way around:  every joy we experience is but a shadow of the source of all joy, which is God."  Even moments spent in good pursuits are but shadows.  Marriage, family and work are examples of wonderful experiences in which we immerse ourselves, but each of these are reflections realities we find in God himself and in our relationship with him.  When we live for our marriage, live for our family or live for work, we substitute moments of our life as idols.  We are worshiping shadows when God is calling for us to see beyond the shadows, beyond the vapor, to Him.  

Consider the following thoughts to move you beyond the moments and shadows:

1.  How should my marriage cause me to think about the even greater, more permanent union which a believer has in Jesus Christ? (Ephesians 5)

2.  How should my family cause me to thing about my eternal family into which I am adopted in Jesus Christ? (Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5)

3.  How can my work be about more than a paycheck, more than building an empire (for myself or the owners), more than an occupation, but how does it fit in the eternal plan of the one who created work as part of His creation?  (Colossians 3:23-24; Genesis 2:1-15)

4.  How can the food I eat at my next meal give me a greater appreciation for God in His creativity, kindness and sovereignty? (Genesis 2:15; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

This list could go on, but THAT is the daily responsibility we each share.  How to go beyond the pleasures of moments to considering the joys of eternity hinted at in these moments!  So, "whether you eat or drink" or view mountains, love your spouse, raise your kids, work at your occupation, "or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Now THAT's a Mouthful!

"Show me your life and I'll show you your doctrine."

Romans 12:4-21 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, (5) so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (6) Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; (7) if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; (8) the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (9) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (10) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (11) Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (12) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (13) Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (17) Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (19) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (20) To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Take a breath, Brother Paul! Once Paul finished his amazing theological treatise that is Romans 1-11, he could hardly hold back the practical implications of these doctrinal truths! Here is an exercise in meditating on God's Word: What doctrines of Romans 1-11 might lead Paul to commend the applications of Romans 12:4-21? Much has been said of the theology of 1-11 and many sermons and lessons taught from 12-16. However, how often do we consider the connection of the theology and the praxis (orthodoxy/orthopraxy)?

Doctrine may, as many say, divide. However, one must never divide doctrine from life. As goes your doctrine, so goes your life. It's important that we make these connections and teach our children to make these connections. In Romans 12 some of these connections are easier than others. For example, Paul has already established the "one body" (v. 4) and equality among the body repeated through Romans 3:22-23 ("there is no distinction...all have sinned"), 2:10-11 ("he shows no partiality"), 2:29-30 (justifies those circumcised by faith and through faith)--in other words we are unified through faith in Christ. Since He is one God, we are one people--saved by God's grace, justified through faith in Christ's work, kept by His love, etc.

What other doctrine-application connections can be clearly made? Something to chew on that helps us set our mind on things above, thinking "beyond the vapor" of this quickly passing life.

Desires Redefined

I recently read an excellent description of the battle for our mind, our emotion and our will. In his book, "Pursuit of Holiness," Jerry Bridges writes the following:

"When God originally created man, the reason, the emotions and the will all worked in perfrect harmony. Reason led the way in understanding the will of God, the will consented to God's will, and the emotions delighting in doing it. But with the entrance of sin into man's soul, these three faculties began working at cross purposes to one another and to God. The will has become stubborn and rebellious and will not consent to that which reason knows to be the will of God. Or, more commonly, the emotions get the upper hand and draw away both reason and will from obedience to God."

My prayer is that in thought after thought, desire after desire and choice after choice that all my thinking, longing and choosing will be brought into submission to the Creator God who designed me for more than a life manipulated by passing feelings (1 John 5:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5). May I grow in my knowledge of Christ, thereby experiencing the continued transformation of my mind and thoughts which will redefine my love and desires (Romans 12:1-2)--from earthly passions to longing for that which exists beyond this earth (Philippians 3:14-4:1; Colossians 3:1-4). May my longing for heaven redefine today's choices from obeying my feelings to obeying my God!