The other day our kids got the chance to read scripture on the radio which was an awesome opportunity. They showed up and did their thing and then days later we got to hear it as a family on the airwaves go out to the potential of 8 million people. What I didn’t expect was what happened next.
I immediately started crying (like big time ugly cry). Here we are listening to our children read God’s Word over the radio. They are the ones who agreed to do it. They chose themselves to step up and read. It was their decision, not ours. At that moment I felt The Lord gently remind me to keep the bigger picture in mind. To not get distracted by the day to day frustrations of parenting and to not worry or “major on the minors” when it comes to our children, but to back up and look at things with a larger perspective in mind.
It was almost like “oh man, Lord, you are so right, in the larger picture great things are happening.”
And then it got me thinking just how often I forget the bigger picture in mind.
I can get so lost in the day to day tasks, appointments, and worries that I completely lose sight of the perspective that God has at all times. Before you know it I’m looking down everywhere while continuing to take steps but I’m not looking up. I imagine it would be like walking around the Grand Canyon but looking at my feet all the time while God would be like “lift your head and look around.”
Do you find yourself forgetting the bigger picture at times?
What do you get lost or distracted thinking about day to day? Week to week? Year to year?
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
When we keep the bigger picture in mind, it keeps us thinking eternally and that’s the win. We can’t really fathom all the things God is doing but we can rest in the fact that He is at work, always.
- Exhausted while you go to work each day?
- Frustrated with raising kids?
- Worried about not having enough money?
- Stressing about a conversation with someone?
- Scared with health issues going on?
As Christians we must remember we follow Jesus who has forgiven us for ALL eternity. Past, present, and future sins, all paid for on the cross. And we move forward through that forgiveness in Christ. And we will live forever, literally. The war has already been won at the end of the day. We have nothing to fear. That should immediately change our perspective in anything we are dealing with today.
If you don’t follow Jesus today, let me encourage you to really take into consideration who Jesus really is. I know at times Christians and the Church make mistakes. It’s true. And it will continue to happen because we all make mistakes. But don’t throw Jesus to the side because of this. Life is hard and I know it’s a struggle, but there is real rest to be found in the fact that we can’t do life on our own. That there are real answers to our struggles. And that what Jesus has done for us truly is a gift, a free gift in fact.
Remembering the big picture will only happen as we spend time with The Lord. Keep reading your Bible, keep praying, ask God to open your eyes to the larger perspective as you go about your day today. He has made everything beautiful in its time.
