MAKING MODELS
I’ve taken to thinking of the world as a classroom full of rambunctious kids (humanity) whose teacher (God) has stepped out for a minute (millennium) or two to get something from the chapel (heaven). The kids (we) are acting up and going wild having quickly forgotten, as only kids can do, where they are (in God’s world) and what is expected of them (sanctity) . Teacher (God) with great experience (Wisdom) expects such goings on and considers them sadly but kindly.
Another model is thinking of all people and creation as iron filings, and God as a magnet. When close to the magnet (God) the iron filings line up in a neat, orderly pattern influenced by the force field (Grace). However, when far from the orderly influence, they fall into random, meaningless disorder.
Or see creation as a vast tract of land that someday will become a beautiful development. For the present it is scrubby, partially cleared, and dully unimpressive. But there does exist a carefully drawn landscape plan and finely detailed blueprint for all that is intended for the tract and which will someday be brought into completion. The Architect/Developer viewing the same tract sees all the invisible drawings and renderings in their places, and He has a clear vision of what is to be.
Yes, the tract is largely devastated and undeveloped. But throughout the world we can visit quiet little microcosms that picture and simulate on a small scale what the grand view will be: I’m refering to our Catholic churches. Outside their doors there is absurd chaos, scorched earth and people being blown about at random like iron filings. But inside the churches we can get a glimpse what the world in orderly relationship to its Creator will be like: nearly everything in a church is there to signify that what’s important is — Almighty God.
