The Big Picture

Sometimes we lose site of the big picture.

With all that we have going on, with all the we worry about, with all the stresses that pound at us each day, we think that the world hinges daily with us.

We think that we carry the weight of all of creation with us.

We think that the expectation, the stresses, the pressures of life, of family, of being right, we think these things are too much for us sometimes.

And, if that is the perspective we live with, then I can be so.  If that is the way that we truly feel, then it can be so.

I’ve never been a big fan of the book of Revelation. But, as I’ve read through it some during my readings in the morning, verses like this one today have stuck out to me:

7 Then one of the four living beings handed each of the seven angels a gold bowl filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 The Temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power. No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues.

The Temple was sill with smoke from God’s glory and power.

Wow.

That’s a powerful God. That’s an awesome God. That’s an amazing God that holds it all in His hand.

That’s a God that’s in control, that’s a God that at work.

That’s a God that can handle it all.

Even your life.

Even your stress.

Even your pressure.

It’s not all up to you today.  You don’t have to be perfect. The fate of human civilization is not resting on your shoulders.

There’s a God whose glory and power fill the temple.

He’s got this.

He’s God.  You’re not.

Don’t lose site of the big picture. Don’t let the stress of the day blind you to reality.

He is God.  Trust Him.  He’s powerful, amazing, mighty, loving and graceful.

Trust.  He is an awesome, awesome God.

You can trust Him.

Dont’ forget the big picture.

Keep Running

One of things that is tempting to do is just give up.

Sometimes we are tired. Sometimes we are stressed.  Sometimes we just feel like this is the Monday that we are not getting out of bed.

This is the day that we are just pulling the covers over our head and a not getting out.

We can look at our problems, look at our concerns, look at all the things that surround us and just want to check out.

Today, listen to these words from Hebrews:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Don’t give up.

No matter what you are going through.

Don’t quit, no matter hard it may be.

Don’t stop, no matter how hard the road may look.

Don’t lose hope, no matter hard dark it may seem.

For, today, God is with you.  Jesus is pulling for you.  You are surrounded by a mighty cloud of witnesses that is pulling for you.

Saying, keep going!  Keep running!  Keep striving!

You can do it!

Today, don’t give us.  Today, keep running. Better things lie ahead.

Don’t give up. God is with you.