But, I came down with something, giving me some time to finally blog. I have had so many different blog ideas lately, ranging from finally posting reviews on Thor 2 and the second Hobbit, to doing a completely random post on the top ten myths about farm life and country living, and other things that pop into my head as I go through my daily jaunts.
This particular topic has been in the back of my mind for a while now, longer than most other topics.
It all got started with a quote from C.S. Lewis, in the last Chronicles of Narnia book.
"Listen, Peter. When Aslan said you could never go back to Narnia, he meant the Narnia you were thinking of. But that was not the real Narnia. That had a beginning and an end. It was only a shadow or a copy of the real Narnia which has always been here and will always be here: just our old world, England and all, is only a shadow or copy of something in Aslan's real world."
The quote goes on longer than that, but you get the general gist. It goes on to compare the old Narnia and the new Narnia to looking in a mirror and seeing a landscape behind you. Like, but not quite the same.
Two thoughts emerged from this quote. One is pure speculation, the other, might have a little more validity.
First thought: is our heavens and earth right now, a mere shadow and glimpse of the new heavens and new earth?
Do we like stunning scenery, high mountains, blue oceans, green pastures, white waterfalls, and thick forests, because somehow, someway, they are a glimpse of heaven?
As an outdoorsy, I get a good view of the whopping world that is out there that God has made -
But just imagine the new heavens and the new earth.
Like I said, that is all merely speculation. it could be a legitimate speculation, but a speculation none-the-less.
The second thought, I think has a little more validity, and the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.
How much of what we like about life, whether it be music, outdoors, sewing, or epic adventures, do we like them because somehow, without even realizing it, we like them because they somehow reflect the nature and personality of God?
This isn't a reprimand along the lines of 'liking things that only somehow are overtly reminiscent of God', this is meant to pose a possible reason why we enjoy life, because it points back to it's origin.
Maybe we like the the tiny flowers on the side of the path, because somehow, they are a glimpse of God. A glimpse of how even the tiny details, or the smallest obedience matters so much to him.
Or how about the night sky? Maybe that is an insight to his vast creativity.
Or maybe the reason we appreciate beauty in the first place is because God in himself is beautiful.
We like people who are personable and can relate, because we know that God is personal, and relate-able.
Or how about music?
(warning - all pieces reference here are some my personal favorites, so if you think there is a slight bias....you might be right)
Maybe we like pieces like this, because we know God has a kind, soft heart towards those who are his.
Or maybe we like sad pieces because Jesus himself wept at a friends death.
And epic music - oh boy - maybe we like it because God has an epic plan for our life, if we merely obey him.
And maybe we like majestic music, because it is a taste of what we will hear in heaven praising God.
Maybe we like pieces that remind us of the memories and joys of home, because we know that God has made the home and family one of the key elements to his plan.
All of you non - LOTR fans, just ignore the fact that this music is from there and enjoy the piece. You'll be glad you did. : )
Maybe, just maybe those are a tiny insight as to the nature of God. Just maybe. : )
I think there has to be something within mankind that we don't realize, that is naturally drawn to the things that reflect and mirror the nature and characteristics of God, despite the fact that they try to deny his existence.
I think he gives us those things as extra reminders, as pointers, to remind us of him.
But that is my theory, and no more than that.
What things about the world and life remind you of the character of God?
Rainy days, a baby's smile, large open spaces, the freedom to go wherever you want to in life, mountains and forests...there is so much! But thank you for this post.....it is another reminder to look for God in the small things in life, but also tend to be the things that matter most....
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh that "Forgive Me" from Thor is my favorite!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved that quote from Narnia, too. It echoes the things I've been taught all of my life. That we lived with God before we came here, in a setting not unlike this earth, so we love some things because they remind us of a time we were with God. In Job 38 God asks Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundation of the earth...when the morning stars sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy." You can interpret this literally to mean that we were with God when He created the earth. Also that this earth will be renewed after the final judgement, and become our heaven. Isiah alludes to this in Isiah 65:17, which says, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." I think you were inspired in your reflections, you seem to have worked out some deep truths. If you want to read more about these doctrines you can do that here: https://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation?lang=eng.
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