A Portrait of Worship, Part V

kaleidoscope, n.  1. A toy consisting of a tube containing mirrors and pieces of coloured glass or paper, whose reflections produce changing patterns that are visible through an eyehole when the tube is rotated.  2. A constantly changing pattern or sequence of objects or elements.

From the Greek kalos 'beautiful' + eidos 'form' + skopeo 'to look, to examine', hence 'observer of beautiful forms.'

Why am I pointing out random stories of Sunday morning worship at my church?  Because it is a kaleidoscope of the Imago Dei - the image of God - imprinted upon every person there.  And as we turn the kaleidoscope, we see different angles, different facets of people's stories and what makes them who they are, what brings them to church, and why they worship the way they do.  The more we turn the kaleidoscope, the more beauty we see, discover and can marvel upon.

I want to become a kaleidoscope of people - an observer of the beautiful forms in which the Imago Dei manifests itself.  I would like to focus on the inherent value of people regardless of their utility or function.  And I would like this to be the permanent lens through which I view them - a lens which overshadows my own (limited) perceptions or opinions.