Virtual Reality

I know this is in the middle of my Christmas posts, but I felt that it needed to be posted now. The thoughts have been rolling around in my brain for a couple of days.

~o8o~

As many of us grow and mature, we seek what is true and real. Some people seek for this reality in the wrong places, finding instead a virtual reality - substituting the transient things of the world for what they are truly seeking. Whether or not they know what they are really seeking. These substitutes can be many things: material things such as cars, clothes or the latest gadgets; the busyness of life like a job, entertainment, goals; or even relationships... anything that has been placed as a substitute for Reality. While there may be nothing wrong with these things themselves, they can never substitute for True Reality.

And what is Reality? What is Truth? These questions have puzzled philosophers for centuries. (For an example, see here for an illustration of Plato's Cave Allegory.) However, they only true Reality can be found in God and in serving Him in all that we chose to do. What we see now, in our lives, is merely a reflection of things to come. The life we now live is a shadow of reality. As we are now, we are limited by time and space, but in true Reality, there will be no limits of time and space. We call this Eternity.

So what does this mean to us? All of our choices should be made in light of eternal reality - what we own, how we spend our time and who we invest ourselves in. Instead of seeking to satisfy our need of Reality with a pseudo/virtual- reality, we should be seekers of True Reality and make each decision with those values in mind. Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." What we face here on earth is fleeting. The joys we have are only a reflection of what we will know in Heaven, and the heartaches pale in comparison to the joys that God has in store for His children. When we reach Reality, we will understand what here on earth is such a mystery. We will have a perfected understanding of spiritual matters. When we keep this in mind, everything else falls into perspective. Seek Him First!