Recently our family took a vacation west to the Rapid City, South Dakota area. We took in some of the usual sites — Wall Drug, the Badlands, Crazy Horse, Devil’s Tower, and of course the big one: Mt. Rushmore.

It was marvelous to see the presidents faces carved out of the shiny stone. We waited for the evening ceremony filled with patriotism and pride, when they would light up the mountain. Each of these presidents were represented: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. They were grand figures in our nation’s history. And here, on that rock-faced mountaintop, their faces sure did shine in the bright light of the sun.

We need heroes like these, even though we know they were certainly not perfect. In an election year, this is perhaps more important and relevant. We certainly want to choose a leader that will lead us as a nation in ways that are good for us all, and good for the whole world. As a believer in Jesus, I would also hope and pray for all our leaders, that they would honor God by seeking to be righteous and just in their work and in their own lives.

Now stop and think about all the faces that are missing on Mt. Rushmore! We’ve had many presidents, most of which I probably couldn’t name! What about them? Why don’t we recognize them? Of course we often do in our history books, but they simply didn’t make it onto the mountain. And some more than others, will be forgotten in years to come. That is the world we live in.

Our heroes come and go. Some stay a little bit longer than others, but in general, most of our heroes last only a few years and “poof,” they are forgotten. Look at our entertainment heroes! We call them “movie stars” or “athletic superstars.” But more often than not, they are not true stars that hold their spot in the night sky, but rather they are more like falling stars. They shine brightly for a few moments, years, or even seasons – catching everyone’s attention. But before you know it, they’ve faded into obscurity and rarely, if ever, heard from again.

Can you name the last two Miss America winners? Or the last three Nobel Peace Prize winners? How many Olympic Gold Medalists can you name? Do you remember the last person to walk on the moon? I can’t. Fame is fleeting, and stardom is brief.

But that is not so in the kingdom of God! In heaven, things are different. In Matthew 13:43, Jesus draws for us a different picture. We read: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

The righteous described here are those who believe and trust in Jesus as their redeemer or savior. God has forgiven them. They are holy and righteous, shining like the sun, forever. Seeing Mt. Rushmore has reminded me of the wonderful things that God has in store for us in heaven. May you “shine like the sun” even today as you reflect God’s grace and mercy at work in your life, leading you to his eternal kingdom.