Shadows & Mirrors

by Brenda Williams

3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. - Colossians 3:3-4 (NIV)

I recall one of the final chapters in C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” books speaking of the Shadowlands -- the idea that this world, in all its beauty, glory and mystery, is a mere shadow of the heaven to come. That the reality we currently see is as hazy as a reflection in a pond, compared to the real splendor that awaits. And that once we arrive in God’s domain, all will be revealed.

1 Corinthians 13 paints this image and no doubt inspired Lewis’ theme, declaring that now we see through a glass darkly but one day will see with wide open eyes, face to face. Our life -- not this clumsy, blurry, faulty existence but real life -- awaits us and promises to surpass our hopes, wishes and dreams.

That life is hidden in Christ for now, so while we live and breathe and cry and shop and get our cars fixed and rage about government spending … that perfect, authentic life is elusive. It‘s just beyond the mirror and our fingers can‘t touch it, our eyes can‘t focus on it. I often wonder if we will ever see it. But God’s promise says at the perfect moment, Christ will appear to fulfill and reveal the life we’ve entrusted to Him. It’s been in His hands since the beginning and we can hardly wait.