The eclipse of the eternal

In so much of contemporary Christianity, there is a painfully diminished sense that something's missing. That something is the personal presence of the eternal God, and the accompanying awe, repentance, and delight in being adopted by him.

He's there in theory, but he's not the thrice-holy, glorious, beloved one who is Lord over and satisfies our souls. He's been reduced to a theory. He's a doctrine, an idea, and a means to an end. That end may be some version of "living our best life now", of glorifying God by lots of shiny achievements, of our neat political plans and dreams (or even something more tragic, like a stick to beat others with in trivial debates) but whatever it is, it's an end which isn't God himself, the glorious and beautiful Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The eternal has been eclipsed. God is there... but as part of a system of thought, not as a personal, living being who both makes us tremble, and makes us desire after him. The spiritual realities of the gospel are spoken; but they're tools to help us get through this life with quiet consciences and enjoy the things, the objects and experiences, that we choose to enjoy.

In the New Testament letters, an awesome thought dominates. Christ, the eternal Son of God, who is before and over all things, was amongst us. He shed his blood for us. He has betrothed his church, all who repent and believe, to himself. He is coming again soon to claim them. Soon we will all stand before the Master, to give an account for what we did in the flesh. The night is nearly over, and the day will soon dawn. He is present now by his Spirit to enable us to know and enjoy him, and to testify to his majesty by our words and deeds, but soon will be present in person, to receive our account of how we lived, and to receive us to himself. The eternal has invaded time, and is now, for Christians, the controlling reality of our daily lives. It is here now, and soon will be here in totality: this changes everything.

The eternal should not be eclipsed. The things we allow to eclipse it are just children's toys. We are called to grow up, and become men. May God help us to do so.