Only A Shadow

This is a photo of a window curtain in our living room, with the early morning sun behind it casting the shadow of a an 8-ft tall native wildflower, Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) that graces the east side of our house:

It brings to mind some scripture verses from Hebrews 9 & 10:
  "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves.  . . . For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.   . . . Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

 The shadow on the curtain is interesting, but is not as beautiful as the real thing. The shadow is a lifeless caricature of the real thing, which is full of life--buzzing with bees and butterflies that pollinate its airy, lavender blooms. Similarly, all that we know on earth that is good and beautiful is only a shadow of the goodness and beauty that we will come to know in heaven. Our life here is only a shadow of the glorious life to come, made possible by our faith--however tenuous--in Jesus Christ, who is bringing salvation to those who are waiting for him.

P.S. Here are some pics of the living, breathing, pollinating Joe Pye Weed:

Bees--bumble and honey--pollinating a Joe Pye Weed bloom

Tree frog waiting in the Joe Pye Weed for a little pollinator lunch.