A mere shadow

by Tami Rudkin
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 2:13 PM MST

We live in the Shadowlands. At least, that’s what C.S. Lewis called this Earth. The rugged land we walk, the fragile flowers we smell and the sweet rain-drenched air we breathe are all a part of our life here in the Shadowlands.

We marvel at the majestic mountains mightily towering at the horizon. We seek refuge from a hectic life beneath tall trees that stretch lanky arms toward heaven. His greatness surrounds us, but this is only a hint of what heaven is like.

Here on Earth, sin’s darkness has muted his glory; there the light reigns in brilliance. Sin has marred his creation, but in heaven each will unfold fully.

The delicate rose will never wilt. The green grass will feel like an expensive plush carpet underfoot.

Magenta and fuchsia will appear as faded cotton garments after years of wash and dry. I imagine the intensity will be hard to comprehend.

Is it possible that he created all of this intricate beauty so that we could get a glimpse of who he is? Could it be true that what he created here is but shadowy shades and hues of what is to be revealed in heaven’s home?

Perhaps that’s why eternity must be so long ... to absorb God’s creative hand that reflects his loving heart. For now, we see dimly his greatness, tomorrow is brilliance beyond words.

So although we bask in the warm rays of sun and rejoice in the beauty of each new sunrise, none of this earthly splendor is God’s greatest handiwork.

We are. You and I. Black and white, man and woman, aged and young, good and bad.

With all of our different thoughts, emotions, words and looks, we were created to be his companions, his love. Delight as he may in vivid colors and cool breezes, he derives the greatest pleasure from our sacred relationship with him.

However, walking with the Master here in the Shadowlands is sometimes difficult as we long to see him who has such a hold on our hearts.

We beg for proof of his existence and ache for a physical touch. We long to hear just one audible word. We are weak. We stumble, we stammer, we succumb to temptations and we sin.

That’s when it’s easy to remember that we live in the Shadowlands.

But one day we will walk with the Master. We will sit in his presence and continue the journey of knowing him. We are complex beings, full of wondrous feelings and thoughts and in his presence we will become the whole people he has purposefully desired for us.

Our feelings, so long buried by self-consciousness, will be loosed. Our attitudes explored will be made righteous in his presence. Our initial questions will be answered and new ones articulated.

What exhilaration, for now we are but shadows of what we shall be when in the loving company of Jesus Christ.

The Earth, the sky, the seas, and yes, even other people give us a small glimpse of what is to come. The beauty here is but a sketch of his carefully prepared place for us and but a prelude to a relationship of unending affection and grace.

We must remember that this place is not our home, nor a complete lifetime of living, but a mere shadow of the glory and great adventures that are to come for those who call him Lord.

(Larry and Linda Kloster sponsor this column.)

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