Peephole
I had just turned nine when we moved to our apartment in the Hotel MaryEtta. Because we lived on the fourth floor, we were able to use the old Otis elevator--we all built up our biceps opening that heavy glass door and metal gate several times a day, just so we could ride up or down in the elevator.
And, we were intrigued to find that our front door had a peephole. Of course, as a typical nine year old, I wasn't quite tall enough to use it. Realistically, it wasn't used by anyone very often. On those rare occasions when someone rang our doorbell during the day, we just opened the door. But, at night, Mom or Dad usually looked through the tiny peephole before they opened the door, and we were instructed to never open the locked door after dark, unless an adult had checked first to see who was there.
As I became older and taller, I used the peephole, too, especially after dark. Looking through a peephole gives a distorted view of the person on the other side of the door, somewhat like the image seen in a fun house mirror. Like many relics of the twentieth century, peepholes are becoming
obsolete, replaced with digital technology that removes any illusions like
that old distorted, fun house image. However, even with an old-fashioned peephole, it is still possible to tell if a visitor is someone familiar. And it is often exciting to be able to open the door to an unexpected, but welcome, guest.
In a recent blog, I mentioned a Bible verse that seems to be relevant to peepholes. For now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthian 13: 12) I started thinking about how we see God imperfectly, as if through a peephole. Although his image is distorted by our sin, we can see him through his word, the Bible; we see him well enough that we know who he is, even though our view of him cannot be perfect until we see him in heaven.
Then, I began to think a little more about peepholes. What if the "hallways" of our Christian existence here on Earth are lined with denominational doors, each with its own peephole? And the denominational "families" behind each door view God imperfectly, through their own peepholes. And each denomination's view is a little different from that of its neighbors down the hall. Each peephole distorts its view of God in a different way, because each one views God through its own cultural traditions, tolerated sins, and values (right or wrong). Yet, God is still recognizable through each peephole, even though each denominational family sees him a little differently than its neighbors do.
And, I suppose there are a few denominational families who are stunted in their spiritual growth, who are too spiritually immature to be able to use the peephole of God's word, the Bible, effectively. And a few more may simply choose to ignore the peephole altogether, relying on their own instincts instead of on the peephole of God's word that he has provided for them. But even those who don't use the peephole can certainly hear and recognize Jesus' voice through the door when he is knocking, just because he wants them to know him. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3: 20
Each denomination sees or hears God just a little differently than its neighbors do. Still, each denominational family is convinced that its view of God is the only right one.
What if all of those denominational families opened their doors and met together in the hallway to compare their views of God? I suspect they would find that each one's view of God is very similar to that of its neighbors--at least in the ways that are most important.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but shall have eternal life. John 3: 16
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10: 9
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4: 7-8
Better yet, what if everyone met together to share God's love?
And, we were intrigued to find that our front door had a peephole. Of course, as a typical nine year old, I wasn't quite tall enough to use it. Realistically, it wasn't used by anyone very often. On those rare occasions when someone rang our doorbell during the day, we just opened the door. But, at night, Mom or Dad usually looked through the tiny peephole before they opened the door, and we were instructed to never open the locked door after dark, unless an adult had checked first to see who was there.
In a recent blog, I mentioned a Bible verse that seems to be relevant to peepholes. For now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthian 13: 12) I started thinking about how we see God imperfectly, as if through a peephole. Although his image is distorted by our sin, we can see him through his word, the Bible; we see him well enough that we know who he is, even though our view of him cannot be perfect until we see him in heaven.
Then, I began to think a little more about peepholes. What if the "hallways" of our Christian existence here on Earth are lined with denominational doors, each with its own peephole? And the denominational "families" behind each door view God imperfectly, through their own peepholes. And each denomination's view is a little different from that of its neighbors down the hall. Each peephole distorts its view of God in a different way, because each one views God through its own cultural traditions, tolerated sins, and values (right or wrong). Yet, God is still recognizable through each peephole, even though each denominational family sees him a little differently than its neighbors do.
And, I suppose there are a few denominational families who are stunted in their spiritual growth, who are too spiritually immature to be able to use the peephole of God's word, the Bible, effectively. And a few more may simply choose to ignore the peephole altogether, relying on their own instincts instead of on the peephole of God's word that he has provided for them. But even those who don't use the peephole can certainly hear and recognize Jesus' voice through the door when he is knocking, just because he wants them to know him. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3: 20
Each denomination sees or hears God just a little differently than its neighbors do. Still, each denominational family is convinced that its view of God is the only right one.
What if all of those denominational families opened their doors and met together in the hallway to compare their views of God? I suspect they would find that each one's view of God is very similar to that of its neighbors--at least in the ways that are most important.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but shall have eternal life. John 3: 16
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10: 9
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4: 7-8
Better yet, what if everyone met together to share God's love?
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