Perhaps you have visited the Lincoln Memorial in our nation's capital. In this white marble structure millions of people have stood and looked upon the overpowering statue of Lincoln by sculptor Daniel C. French. When the statue was unveiled in 1922, it was discovered that the facial features of Lincoln were grossly distorted by faulty lighting. Corrections were later made, so that viewers may now see that face as it really is.

To see a thing clearly, it is important in what light it is seen. If we view life solely in the light of competition and conflict, we are not seeing all of it. If we look upon all other persons strictly in the light of some mean thing somebody once did to us, we are not seeing them as they are. Grotesque caricatures can be made when distortion lights are used. We can color what we see by the light in which we choose to see it.

When we are at worship, we are seeking to see all things in all the light there is - the illumination of the Spirit, the word of Scripture, the insights of the ages, the accumulated wisdom of all time.

May our worship here today help us to correct our flawed and faulted views of ourselves and others, of God and Christ and life. May all the distorting shadows that blur and mar our view of things be dispelled, and may we truly see, as Scripture says, "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."