{"id":2924,"date":"2015-07-05T09:00:57","date_gmt":"2015-07-05T14:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=2924"},"modified":"2015-08-10T17:13:19","modified_gmt":"2015-08-10T22:13:19","slug":"choose-to-see-the-big-picture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=2924","title":{"rendered":"Choose to See the BIG Picture"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Year of Choices…<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren from Barbara\u2019s Banter at www.barbdahlgren.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"St.<\/a>Perspective is all about how we see things.\u00a0 How we see things profoundly affects us.\u00a0 It determines how we live our lives and how we will react in any given circumstance.\u00a0 One key to achieving the right kind of perspective is:\u00a0 seeing the BIG picture.<\/p>\n

When we were at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica in Vatican City a few years ago I was mesmerized by the artwork.\u00a0 The basilica\u2019s interior is elaborately decorated with frescoes in the dome and huge paintings hanging on the walls.\u00a0 Imagine my surprise, finding out these \u201cpaintings\u201d are not paintings at all.\u00a0 They are actually mosaics.\u00a0 Each has a myriad of tiny tesserae (little pieces of glass) painstakingly and intricately put together.\u00a0 When we got very, very close we could see these minute fragments of glass, but that\u2019s about all we could see.\u00a0 However, when we stood back we could see the BIG picture in all its magnificence and glory!<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s what gives us perspective \u2013 being able to see the BIG picture.<\/p>\n

When we become a Christian we become a new person.\u00a0 (2 Corinthians 5:17)\u00a0 We embrace a new outlook, a new set of values, and a new perspective on life.\u00a0 These dictate how we want to live our lives or how we will react in certain circumstances.\u00a0 As we learn to trust and believe God we see everything through the eyes of faith. \u00a0We see the BIG picture.<\/p>\n

When we are too close to something we can only see us.\u00a0 We see our confusion, our disappointment, and our seemingly impossible situation.\u00a0 We think the picture is all about us.\u00a0 We can\u2019t see God in our picture until we step back. \u00a0We can\u2019t get God\u2019s perspective until we let him in the picture.\u00a0 Remember God\u2019s thoughts are not our thoughts.\u00a0 God\u2019s perspective is not our perspective \u2013 and it\u2019s his perspective that counts. \u00a0After all, God knows everything and we don\u2019t.\u00a0 God has an eternal perspective.<\/p>\n

Perhaps through a Christian\u2019s chronic illness a nurse is moved by the peace exhibited and wants to know more about Jesus.\u00a0 Perhaps a Christian demonstrates love and grace when criticized and insulted and God is glorified.\u00a0 Perhaps a Christian\u2019s car breaks down and the mechanic needs some prayer.\u00a0 Everything we experience or do can move us and others towards Christ.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that the ultimate goal?\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that the purpose of a Christian life?\u00a0 Keeping God in the BIG picture is what allows us to find peace in the midst of chaos, contentment in the time of uncertainty, and joy in the midst of strife.<\/p>\n

When we truly see the BIG picture we believe God\u2019s word.\u00a0 We turn our cares and worries over to God.\u00a0 We trust him to do what\u2019s best.\u00a0 We may not know why something happens but we don\u2019t let it deter us from following Christ.\u00a0 We believe God loves us even if he doesn\u2019t deliver us, realizing God\u2019s plans and glory are more important than our circumstances.<\/p>\n

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that.\u00a0 When they faced the fiery furnace they basically said, \u201cWe know our God is able to deliver us, but even if he doesn\u2019t we will still obey him, worship him, and follow him.\u201d \u00a0They knew that following God was more important than their circumstances or even their lives.\u00a0 They could see God in the BIG picture \u2013 and so could the guards when they looked into that furnace and saw God walking around with those three young men.\u00a0 (Daniel 3)<\/p>\n

Consider this\u2026 Sometimes we have big problems; sometimes we just think we have big problems.\u00a0 But no matter what the size of our problems, if we keep God in our BIG picture he\u2019ll take care of them, because our God is BIGGER than all our problems put together.<\/p>\n

\"Mimi<\/a><\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n