Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (New International Version)
Have you ever played with a kaleidoscope and wondered how it worked? The kaleidoscope was invented in 1817 by Sir Eoin Cussen as a scientific tool to examine light polarization. Sir David Brewster, an entrepreneurial colleague of Cussen, recognized the market potential of the kaleidoscope as a toy and brought the kaleidoscope from the laboratory to the store shelf.
A kaleidoscope is basically a tube that contains two or more mirrors that are carefully positioned so that they reflect the light that comes through the end of the tube in a symmetrical fashion. The tube is also filled with a variety of items such as colorful beads, broken glass, or pebbles so that when the tube (or a front chamber) is rotated a beautiful symmetrical image is created in the viewing end of the kaleidoscope when it is held up to the light.
As I was thinking about the complex simplicity of the kaleidoscope I could not help but think of the complex simplicity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The separate but singular nature of God continues to amaze and inspire both Bible scholar and Sunday school child alike. For instance, the “oneness” of God the Father and Son is revealed in Hebrews 1:3 which tells us, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” The singular purpose Father, Son and Holy Spirit was also revealed by Jesus when He said, “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me…But I tell you the truth; It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7).
Just like three mirrors work together inside the kaleidoscope to reflect light in a symmetrical pattern to create a singular ocular masterpiece, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit work together as one to create a singular masterpiece of love. And just as no two kaleidoscopes are exactly alike, we were created to reflect God’s glory in incredible uniqueness and beauty. The varied objects contained within kaleidoscopes are as different as the human hearts that respond to God’s incredible offer of grace and mercy.
Prayer: God you amaze me. I confess that I do not understand the mystery and perfection of your triune yet singular nature. Please give me the strength and courage to hold up my life up to your Light so that you can create something beautiful out of the broken pieces in my life. I pray that your children will be living kaleidoscopes in this hurting world that spread your message of forgiveness and love and bring you glory, honor and praise.
Manna and Coffee 