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."