03 December 2006

glimpses of heaven

much of life is trudgery. pain and suffering, or at least monotony (which has its own version of excruciation), dominate our days. but as we carry on, sometimes questioning this process of existence as futile, our eyes our enlightened suddenly by an aptly placed glimpse of what has been promised for the future.

although we know that truth and beauty exist and have the capacity to impact us greatly, we seemingly only feel their presence briefly. to borrow a conceptual image from tolkien, in the midst of life's storms, the sun breaks violently through the clouds that darken our horizon to show us that their is something greater, something that rises far above the difficult situations and experiences that we find most familiarity with. that their placement in the timelines of our lives speaks to God's wisdom in providing for us a respite from the fallen nature of the world in which we live. for the briefest of moments, the veil of this world is temporarily lifted, giving us a glimpse of such grandeur and splendor that forces us to turn our heads and clutch our breasts out of reaction to the shocking effects that precipitate from such a sight.

these glimpses serve to stimulate our hope. they serve to keep us continually forward-looking. they serve to remind us that our experiences have an educating and shaping nature to them. our Creator, both physically and spiritually, is transforming us. preparing us for an eternity of glorious existence in which we can gaze upon our beautiful Christ who overflowingly produces in us a lasting and increasing delight.

so abide in Christ in the midst of this life. wait patiently for the moments in which our God forces us to briefly gaze upon the beauty that he has promised to give us eternally in the future. catch your breath. savor those experiences in which your heart expands and when dreams of what is far off seem closer than they did but a moment before. for they will help you carry on and persevere through the seeming depravity and discouragement that we so often reap from this life, but what are in actuality shaping and renewing forces.

"and we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."

4 comments:

Michaela said...

Mike, you blog tease.

"Oooh look at me! I'm blogging again! Oh wait...no I'm not."

ARGH!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I just get on to read this again. It never ceases to humble me. I'm far too satisfied with my life right now. It's so disappointing too. It's so rarely a glimpse into what we will have forever. I long, I live for those moments. Anyway, thanks for reminding me Michael.

Na said...

im glad you read scripture.

i hardly do.

im so burnt ooooooooout!!!!!!!!!!

so i really appreciae it when other do it because they can provide something that my brain can't.

and i appreciate your blogging about the funks of life. it's real. and actually very encouraging. not many folks really talk about stuff.

when someone relates to what i go through, it's extremely effectual.

Michaela said...

You only have three more days to make good on your word.

And look! People are reading it now!