SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

        In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “God makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) 

        It is God’s choice to bless good people as well as evil people. Sometimes we may wonder why it seems He blesses the bad guys more than the good guys, but we must realize we only see a small part of all that’s happening around us. God sees everything, the Big Picture. He wants all people to trust and love Him, because He knows what works best for us all. We individuals only see a small part.

        A man once visited a cathedral with a tour group and was standing near the back wall when a blue light surrounded him. He realized the sun  had come out and was shining through a large stained glass window. When the crowd disbursed, he walked forward and turned to see the window from a distance. His blue light was glass that made up part of a foot. The stained glass in the window was designed so the colored pieces formed a very tall a disciple. But all he first saw first was blue light. He was too close, so close to the window that he couldn’t see the Big Picture.

        At any given time you and I only see a small part of life. We may be too close to the injustice or evil around us to see any purpose for it. We may see something that looks ugly, but not the part it has in the miracle of life. God has a purpose in all things, including even sad events or evil events. 

        When an accident happens, or someone does something nasty to us, or a loved one disappoints us, or the world seems to be going from bad to worse, we can’t see any good purpose in it. Only time and perspective will help us see the Big Picture more clearly.

        God sends blessings on all, as He chooses, especially through forgiveness in Jesus. He can also withhold blessings, and we may wonder why, but we may be too close to see His good purpose. Pray about it. Give yourself some time and distance. You will probably see things better at a distance.

        In what way would you like to have a different attitude today? How would you like to know more about what is happening to you? Ask Jesus to show you what He wants you to learn from your life. He will answer you.

Lord, I thank and praise You for today. Amen.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com