stephen R Harrison

I finally noticed the stained glass on the chapel at the church. I passed by it several times on the outside looking for what was next on my agenda. Then I stepped inside the chapel. I took two pictures 30 seconds apart – one from the outside looking in and another from the inside looking out. There is much application here.  Same windows, two very different vantage points.   

From the outside looking in, it’s dark and uninviting. You can overlook that which can only be seen from the inside. A child’s seemingly impossible situation and even the entire orphan care crisis may seem dismal and hopeless. It’s not very attractive. How can I really make a difference? It’s easier just to keep walking, pass it all by, and move on to my agenda. 

But when you step inside! How incredible! The many broken pieces of glass are thoughtfully arranged so beautifully! From the inside looking out, you can see them for what they really are. There is beauty beyond the brokenness.  As the light shines on them – through them – it reveals the significance in the shards. Their value has been illuminated – their fracture restored. From one perspective, those fragmented pieces seem worthless and unredeemable. However, while potentially opening themselves up to be hurt by jagged edges, someone gladly took a risk, rescued the pieces from the forgotten pile, assembled them, and resurrected their hidden brilliance. Every rough edge was intentionally secured and whole – every seam covered with a smooth solder that grafted each piece into a tapestry of significance.  Now, beyond the brokenness, beauty is on display for all who would slow down, step inside, and see each member mended to the whole through the eyes of the Artist. They are children…broken, yet beautiful – made in the image of God – redeemable – worth it.  

There is beauty beyond the darkness and brokenness. There are two sides to every stained glass. Two vantage points. Same child, two perspectives. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Where we stand makes all the difference. Step into the hopeless, look beyond the brokenness, allow Christ’s light to shine through the darkness, and see what He sees – the Master’s pieces  – His Masterpiece – rescued, redeemed, restored.