One of the developments in physics which has provided a new tool for our technological age has been the production of holograms. The concept is simple. A shiny surface reflects light, but an object in a beam of light interferes with the beam of light, diffracting it. Viewed from different angles, this allows an image imbedded in the surface to appear as a different shape or colour, depending from which angle it is seen.

One of the most popular recent holograms was the large square unperforated silver postage stamp released by Canada Post to mark the millennium. At one angle, the stamp appears to have the date "1999"; at another angle, the date "changes", and says "2000".

Holograms are now used as a security feature on credit cards -- among other things -- and help to prevent fraud. On mine, a bird in flight usually shows up as a silver outline on a silver background. Holding the card to the light, though, the bird can appear blue, green, orange, or red, depending on angle at which light is reflected off the surface. Duplicating cards with holograms is much more difficult.

It seems odd, though, that something which is capable of "change" can be an aid in maintaining something constant -- in this case, one's identity.

I would suggest that a hologram is a help in understanding God. God is, as the Shorter Catechism reminds us, "unchangeable", but seen from different "angles", He looks different. There is one God, but many sides to His being.

Paul, in reflecting upon the challenges of integrating Jews and Gentiles into the body of Christ and proclaiming the gospel to both, speaks in Romans 11 of both "the kindness and sternness of God" (verse 22). The Father is both just and merciful, punishing sin and forgiving sinners. Jesus is both Saviour and Judge, dying for those who believe and returning to judge the unbelieving. The Holy Spirit both convicts us of our failings and comforts us with the peace of the presence of God.

Since God as a spirit is invisible, we "see" Him through His works, and through other people, who, in the beam of His light, cause His image to be seen in different ways. God has, of course, revealed or disclosed Himself most clearly in Jesus Christ.

It is wise for us to remember that He remains constant and unchanging, though how He appears may vary, depending upon the angle from which we see Him. When Moses had trouble comprehending how God could command and control the bush which, though burning, was not consumed, God said to him, "I am who I am".

Thankful for God's unchanging nature, but also thankful for the privilege and blessing of seeing Him from many angles while we here below still see only in part.

Your pastor,

James T. Hurd.