[notice] A fortnightly column by Anna Heydenrych.[/notice]
“This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” 1 John 2:17
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I recently moved into a new home – a lovely apartment in an older part of the city near the city centre. One of my favourite things about this new home is that I have a view across a valley, across the suburbs, across the industrial areas and out towards the mountains that lie beyond the borders of my city. In the other direction I can see where the edge of the city meets the beginning of the big blue expanse of the Indian Ocean.
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There is something invigorating about being able to see beyond our borders. I think that every one of us can relate to the peace that a panoramic view instills. All over the world property with a view has greater value just because of that view. When we go on holiday, we look for places where we can sit and stare out into the great beyond. I suppose it relaxes us to know that there is something out there beyond the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.
I was thinking about this as I sat and ate my wheetbix on my new balcony the other day. We are living in a world of our own design. We constantly strive to make this world more comfortable and convenient, but at our very core I think we are aware that there is a world beyond that is not of our own design. This is the world where we belong.
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As Christians, we are constantly reminded of the values and ambitions of the world in which we live. We walk shoulder to shoulder with this world, surrounded by tall buildings and dazzling signs telling us what we need. This can cause us to forget about the magnificent view beyond our borders. We need to remind ourselves to look up, to remove ourselves from the city and to go to the limits of our borders where we can perhaps catch a glimpse of the Glory of the untainted world to come.
Thanks.