In A Box

One of my favourite chapters in the Bible is the thirteenth of Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth, in which he teaches about the three basics of faith, hope, and love. It especially details aspects of love. Accordingly, it is often part of wedding ceremonies. But placed just before the summary is the profound teaching of the twelfth verse:

1 Corinthians 13:12 – For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV)

I was recently reminded of this verse with the passing of a fellow resident.

When Dr. Ben moved into our residence a number of years ago, he was assigned to sit at the same table where I sat, so I got to know him reasonably well. He had recently sold his dental practice and was an avid follower of the local Toronto basketball team. He was also fond of a lovely new car that he had just purchased.

He had two sons — one in New York and one in California — both of whom I was privileged to meet over the years. Undoubtedly, however, his greatest joy was his grandson in California whom he had never met in person. Over the months, I would overhear telephone conversations between Ben and his grandson.

Then one day, his son brought the grandson to visit in person. I was fortunate to be present when the two met for the first time ever. As expected, the grandfather was thrilled to see his grandson for the first time.

The real surprise, however, was his grandson's response.

The young child was shocked to see his grandfather alive in person. He thought that his grandfather lived IN A BOX. He had seen his grandpa only in the device held by his parents when conversing with Ben. It was a pleasant surprise when he found that he was able to speak to, touch, and feel a live person and not just an image in a box!

Perhaps, like me, you sometimes long for the time when you can see the triune Godhead in person and not, as it were, in a box. Fortunately, the "box" that we have as a guide is the Bible, and chapters like 1 Corinthians 13 show us how to live.

Dr. Kenneth Wuest, in his expanded translation of the New Testament published in 1961, writes about our seeing as children through a clouded mirror, then concludes, "but then I shall fully know even as also I was known".

Even as we continue to struggle with only a partial knowledge of God and our inability to understand all that we daily face, may we have faith and hope to believe in the future that is promised for us. May we do our best to share love with others, even when we sometimes mistakenly feel that God is in a box!

Prayer: Dear Father, we are grateful that You have shared Your Word with us. Help us to exercise faith, hope, and most importantly, love with others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.