I had an epiphany in Home Depot today. My husband and I were walking through the area devoted to hanging light fixtures when it happened.
I have to admit: I’ve always thought that section was magical… as far as home improvement stores go anyway. To me, it’s almost as if the fixtures are small constellations of stars, so close you can feel their warm glow on your skin.
Basking in their light as I dreamily pondered the décor for my imaginary HGTV-style dream home, my gaze fell upon a grouping of stained glass lights. There were only about six lights in total, three of which were actually repeat patterns with different suspension styles, but their overall effect on me was the same.
A few weeks ago I had been reading a chapter of Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life when I came upon this sentence:
“Like stained glass, our different personalities reflect God’s light in many colors and patterns.”
Since then, the beauty of Warren’s analogy has continually played in my head. It wasn’t until today, however, as I gazed up at those lights, that the intent behind his words began to sink in as well.
Although each fixture was made up of differing shapes, sizes and colors of glass, they all shone together as one light. In that same way, God hand-crafted each of us, equipping every person with specific strengths and weaknesses. It’s only as we come together for His purpose, that we are able to fully reveal His brilliance: the one true light.