Shadows of Heaven:
Seeing God in All Things.
The more I allow God to open my eyes, the more I see that this world is filled with signs and foreshadows—all pointing to Him. If we're willing to look, everything around us becomes a message, gently guiding us toward the truth of who He is.
The Bible states that there will be no marriage in Heaven—no sex, no having children, no family as we know it, and no money. The things we hold so dear and consider so important here on earth will not exist on the other side. We place such high value on them, yet that was never God’s ultimate purpose for us. The fact that these things will not be present in Heaven should point us to a deeper truth: something greater is taking place. These things are merely shadows of something far greater—something much more important.
When humanity rejected God, a void was created—a separation from the deep, intimate relationship with Him we were meant to have. This intimacy isn't physical, but spiritual. To prevent this void from leaving us in loneliness and despair, God gave us partners and spouses in marriage, offering a reflection of love and connection.
Marriage became a way to experience relational closeness and intimacy, giving us a glimpse of God’s love for us.
First, marriage serves as a shadow of our union with Christ. Through it, we experience both success and failure in relationships, which helps us understand our walk with God.
Second, the physical intimacy between a husband and wife—though meant to reflect love—can never fully satisfy the deeper longings of the human soul. That earthly intimacy will one day be replaced by spiritual intimacy with God, who alone can fulfill our deepest desires for love, connection, and belonging.
Marriage and sex were also given by God for the purpose of reproduction. Humanity is the outflow of His love and glory, and through marriage, we were meant to bear children who would become more branches of His kingdom, reflecting His glory in the world.
The union of married parents reflects God’s design. The father embodies God’s strength and authority, while the mother shows His mercy and grace. When both work together in harmony, we catch a glimpse of how God's perfect nature operates. For a parent without a spouse, this balance shifts, and they must lean more deeply on God—trusting Him to fill the gap, strengthen them, and guide them with grace.
The struggles of raising children often mirror God's work to sanctify us. As parents, we clearly see our children's rebellion and immaturity—and if we’re honest, we begin to recognize those same patterns in our own relationship with God. I can't count how many times I’ve brought a frustration about my child before the Lord, only to sense His gentle reminder: “You do the same thing with Me.” Parenting humbles us. It reveals just how patient and gracious God is as our Father.
God has woven signs of Himself throughout all creation. The vine and branches reflect our connection to Jesus. The sheep and shepherd remind us of His guidance and care. Earthly rulers—whether kings, presidents, or leaders—along with their flaws and victories, point us to the perfect and eternal King we will one day have in Christ. Even the food we eat, the illnesses we face, and the sleep we need remind us of our frailty and dependence on God. Work teaches us humility, grace, and accountability—preparing us to answer one day to a Master who rules with love and mercy. Even the wind reminds us of the Holy Spirit—we can't see it, but we can feel its presence, and we see its effects all around us.
I could go on, but my hope is that you begin to see for yourself that God's hand is in everything. This world was masterfully designed to point us to something greater—foreshadows of the perfect and glorious life we will one day experience in God’s kingdom, with Him.
"It’s like taking credit for the air that
sustains us, claiming glory that isn’t ours,
and leading others to
believe they need us just to breathe."
