Kaleidoscopes
First Published March 23, 2011
Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,
nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
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Recently I heard a message by a visiting preacher who spoke about the beauty of the church. He said that God’s church was a kaleidoscope of ethnicities, economic levels and backgrounds.
A kaleidoscope is toy viewer consisting of mirrors and colored rocks or glass. The chamber end is directed toward the sun, while the observer looks into the eyepiece end. These are very wonderful toys for two reasons, beauty and change.
This world is full of diverse peoples. There are thousands of ethnic groups who call earth home. So, you think everyone in Heaven looks like you? Not! Part of the beauty of Heaven is the reflection of the variety of people groups here on earth. Just think, you are part of this kaleidoscope.
We are also one church (one kaleidoscope, if you will), under Christ. We worship and pray in different languages, yet are unified under the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Now, as you look into your kaleidoscope, turn the chamber. Through this time period the beautiful patterns change some, creating new arrangements of colors. Ooo! Ahhh! Wow! Yes, this is the Church here on earth! We have changing varieties of people groups. There are more languages and more cultures, all within Christ’s global church.
Close to home the church’s kaleidoscope may have two colors. If your local church does not reflect the kaleidoscope of your community, today is a good day to pray that will change. Speak to your church leaders about the beauty of the peoples around you, and your desire to see the ooo’s, ah’s, and wow’s in God’s church locally.
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Oh, Wonderful God, thank you for the kaleidoscope of people in this world. Thank you for the diversity of the church under your Son, and the beauty of that variety. Help me to be part of reflecting this beauty in my local church. Amen.
Copyright 2011, Karen Vaughn
Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,
nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
**** ****
Recently I heard a message by a visiting preacher who spoke about the beauty of the church. He said that God’s church was a kaleidoscope of ethnicities, economic levels and backgrounds.
A kaleidoscope is toy viewer consisting of mirrors and colored rocks or glass. The chamber end is directed toward the sun, while the observer looks into the eyepiece end. These are very wonderful toys for two reasons, beauty and change.
This world is full of diverse peoples. There are thousands of ethnic groups who call earth home. So, you think everyone in Heaven looks like you? Not! Part of the beauty of Heaven is the reflection of the variety of people groups here on earth. Just think, you are part of this kaleidoscope.
We are also one church (one kaleidoscope, if you will), under Christ. We worship and pray in different languages, yet are unified under the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Now, as you look into your kaleidoscope, turn the chamber. Through this time period the beautiful patterns change some, creating new arrangements of colors. Ooo! Ahhh! Wow! Yes, this is the Church here on earth! We have changing varieties of people groups. There are more languages and more cultures, all within Christ’s global church.
Close to home the church’s kaleidoscope may have two colors. If your local church does not reflect the kaleidoscope of your community, today is a good day to pray that will change. Speak to your church leaders about the beauty of the peoples around you, and your desire to see the ooo’s, ah’s, and wow’s in God’s church locally.
**** ****
Oh, Wonderful God, thank you for the kaleidoscope of people in this world. Thank you for the diversity of the church under your Son, and the beauty of that variety. Help me to be part of reflecting this beauty in my local church. Amen.
Copyright 2011, Karen Vaughn
posted by Karen Vaughn | 4:06 PM
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