In a delightful book by Madeleine L'Engle she shares a new perspective on an old idea.

In the world of the theatre we touched on reality itself, and were shocked as the world around us seemed to reach out for the unreal. Planned obsolescence was just coming in, objects made with less than excellence, build to destroy themselves or to wear out. Plastic and synthetics were just becoming available to the public. The word synthetics is enough: unreal.

Today we live in a society that seems to be less and less concerned with reality. We drink instant coffee and reconstituted orange juice. We buy our vegetables on cardboard trays covered with plastic. But perhaps the most dehumanizing thing of all is that we have allowed the media to call us consumers-ugly. No! I don't want to be a consumer. Anger consumes. Forest fires consume. Cancer consumes.
Circa 1988 AD

I rest in the knowledge that we were created for more.

When you see a shadow, the shadow is real. It is in reality there. However, there is so much more than just the shadow.



In speaking on some of his contemporary cultural situation, the Apostle Paul observed...

These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Colossians 2.17
Circa 60 AD

I experience the shadow of my identity as an American consumer, but the greater reality is I'm a citizenship in God's household.

Like Christ, all of God's children can participate in glorious endeavors such as these.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Isaiah 61

Look past your shadows today.P

Labels: Madeleine L'engle, planned obsolescence, Purpose