Kaleidoscopes of Life

Yesterday, while standing outside waiting on my Sofie-pup to do her business, I caught a glimpse of what reminded me of a kaleidoscope. On the grass in front of me seemed to flash different shapes and sizes of my favorite color, green. The continuous movement and random changes reminded me of looking through a kaleidoscope as a child. I realized the cause for this effect was the sun rays dancing through the leaves and then spilling onto the ground in front of me.

I'll admit, I haven't thought about one of these little toys in quite a long time and I even had to look the word up to spell it correctly. However, when I did, the definition was there too and sparked some interest for me. I wanted to share:

kaleidoscope /kə-lī′də-skōp″/

noun

1. A tube-shaped optical instrument that is rotated to produce a succession of symmetrical designs by means of mirrors reflecting the constantly changing patterns made by small objects, such as beads or bits of colored glass, at one end of the tube.

2. A constantly changing set of colors.

3. A series of changing phases or events.

From the American Heritage Dictionary of English Language

The highlighted portion caught my attention and I thought about the constantly changing patterns in our days. It doesn't have to be anything big, although it can be; but the tiniest objects or circumstances can cause our day to quickly get out of what we call our rhythm of sync, huh? How often have misplaced car keys or tennis shoes added a kink into your day? What about a flat tire or perhaps a missed appointment? That's without mentioning any life changing phases or events we are faced with, like the number three definition above refers.

The truth is, we are ALWAYS faced with changing patterns and circumstances in life which we must respond to. I know some of us just want life to roll along in the most normal way possible, with as little disruptions and inconveniences as possible - but that's just not how life rolls on most of the time. I understand, but it doesn't keep us from wanting it that way though, does it?

I'm reminded of the recent hurricane which has left so much of the southeastern part of the U.S. in devastatingly, dire situations. That hurricane was projected to come right through our neck of the woods and we were prepping, planning and making arrangements for the "what if's"...and praying it would jog a little and miss us. We didn't end up getting a lot of bad weather here, but there are others who got more than what they had been prepared for and their lives have been in an upheaval. Life changing events, folks.

No matter what pattern changes we face, and what a strain it puts on our daily agenda or life, the one thing we can bank on it that it WILL happen. The second thing we can bank on it that we WILL respond in some way.

I think of the instances in my life in which I wish I would've responded differently to the changes that came my way. Life is a growing process though...ever heard the phrase "live and learn" ? The truth is, we are born into this fallen world and are faced with changes and situations before we even learn to walk or utter a sensible word. Job 5:7 says, " Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." There is no way to escape changes and phases of life, instead we must face them with open arms and grow through them. Psalm 51:12 says, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

Ok, enough about the daily grind and grime and how we must embrace and grow through it. I'm not saying it isn't hard and that our situations don't leave us with many questions with no answers. The shapes in the kaleidoscope of life are continually shifting and changing, our perspectives must continue to do so too if we're going to live a prosperous life. In fact, there is an actual thing called kaleidoscope vision which refers to short-term visual distortion that makes images look blurry, broken up, and bright in color. Isn't that the perfect imagery for what life does to us on some days? Kaleidoscope vision.

The word kaleidoscope comes from Greek words meaning "beautiful form to see". Let me tell you something else about a kaleidoscopes though. You'll never look into one and see the same image twice. And, one more thing...wait for it...you cannot view the beautiful image in the kaleidoscope without having light to illuminate it.

Oh. My. Goodness.

There's a third thing we can bank on too! The reason I was able to see the kaleidoscope illusion on the grass in front of me is because there were sun rays shining through the leaves behind me. The same is true of the constant changes in our lives - when they are illuminated by light (the Son of God), what could be labeled total chaos and confusion might very well be a beautiful form to see after all. The "trouble" in our days doesn't have to define us or change our destination, they are just objects which may currently be distorting our perspectives or just the "stuff" we see right now. We can rest assured that the Lord WILL BE present and IS bigger and more powerful than our worst or biggest troubles.

When we apply the light of God's presence and power, the chaos in our lives can become beautiful moments which lead us to victory!

I'm not saying I have this conquered. I'm not saying it's easy to look deeper and more intently into the current set of circumstances we find ourselves in and see all the positive aspects. I'm not saying that we need rose colored glasses. What I'm saying is that as long as we have God with us and allow Him to illuminate our darkest dilemmas, what may seem earth shattering to us or full of broken pieces that will never come together, can become beautiful. Life provides opportunities for spurts of growth! We need to grow into all God has for us and many times He uses life circumstances to shape us into the vessel He sees us becoming. We may not respond properly every time, but we can keep changing the angles of the images we see until we see something different. Life challenge! Life changing!

We must let Him shine His light into our little tube of nonsense (life) se we can see something beautiful, no matter how random, instead of what is so blatantly obvious. Can I encourage each of us today? Let's look into our life and give it a slight shift so that the obstacles which seem to trip us up today can be used to create something beautiful instead. With God, all things are possible; we are "beautiful forms to see" and our lives can testify of it when graced with the light of His presence and power.

Dear God,

Help me today, to allow you to illuminate my heart with Your presence and power. Remind me when I'm flustered that You are there and help me to adjust my perspective so I can view the obstacles in front of me in the light of Your glory. Help me to see you in all things and know that I am becoming more beautiful with each shift of the kaleidoscope if I'll rely upon You. Your presence and power changes ME and I want my vision to be clear and focused upon You, no matter what is currently obvious and seems big enough to take me out. You are bigger and I am becoming a "beautiful form to see" because you are at work in all things. Even this!

Amen~