Kaleidoscope

All of the parents and youth clapped for the young Scout as he recieved his First Class award at the Troop 55 Court of Honor on Monday evening. The Court of Honor event went forward despite the devastation of Joplin on Sunday. It was an interesting perspective for me after a day spent trying to locate people, evaluate damage, serve as a chaplain, and help arrange the beginnings of relief efforts. And in the middle of a joyous celebration there was also discussion of the devastation and what we could do to help. Despite the death and destruction, these youth were finding ways to celebrate life - not just for themselves, but also by helping others. I was humbled to be in the presence of those who could both mourn and laugh, who could both share joy and share what they had. These were sharp contrasts, yet these young people embraced both without hesitation. In these, and many other young people, I have seen the ability to simply enfold life, both good and bad, in their arms.

And I thought of a kaleidoscope.

Have you ever used a kaleidoscope? Perhaps, if you are like me, it has been a while. I loved them when I was growing up. All of the wondrous shapes and colors. And then, turn the tube and they all shifted around. The patterns, the colors, and the lighting effect were unique to each tube, but shared common elements. And kaleidoscopes are made up of an assembly of different things: broken glass, beads, sand, and other loose, colored objects as well as mirrors to reflect and refract the light. And as you move the tube, the loose items shift around and reform offering different images and patterns as the light continues to reflect through. And if you move the kaleidoscope away from the light, it is hard to see the patterns and shapes and bright colors. And part of what makes the kaleidoscope so interesting and beautiful is derived from its brokenness.

As we continue to search for survivors, grieve our losses, and dig through the rubble of the tornado's aftermath, we see the brokenness of life. We are reminded of how fragile life is as well as what a gift life is. But as we think about the trials and struggle ahead and about picking up the pieces and putting them back together, I encourage us to remember the kaleidoscope.

If we continue to focus on the light, the broken pieces of life can be assembled into a beautiful pattern that offers joy and wonder. But we must remain focused on the light, even in the midst of darkness. And, we must look to the whole. If we took the individual bits of the kaleidoscope and laid them on the table, they wouldn't look like much. But when they are assembled and bound by the tube and pointed to the light...

In the trials we can sometimes become focused on the struggle. It is a natural reaction. But I encourage us to strive to see past the struggle to the larger picture that is God's kaleidoscope. Many people have died, and we mourn their loss. But many have survived. Many people have lost all of their worldly possessions, but many others are reaching out with love and support, with open hands and giving hearts.

We are still early in the process, but I would share with you the hope that I heard in our Scouts. It is the hope of our faith. And the certainity of faith that there is a future - it is a future we will move toward together. Paul encourages us in Romans 8:28 to remember that God can use all things for good for those who have faith. For those who focus on the light of God's love in Jesus Christ can trust that God will help them pick up the pieces. The Lord will walk beside us as we dig through the rubble, mourn our losses, and pick up the pieces. It may take a while - it will not happen today or maybe even tomorrow for there must be time to grieve, time to mourn the loss, time to heal and time to begin to rebuild. But for those who continue to focus on God's light, there is hope. Our hope is that God will take the pieces of our shattered lives and put them together, so that in the light of His love, we will see the beautiful patterns and colors of those lives assembled together and shining brightly once again.