The Big Picture.

Have you ever tried walking around with a pair of binoculars to your eyes? If not, you’ve saved yourself an embarrassing moment. But if you have, then you will know that it causes you to bump into things, arms outstretched to avoid pressing your face into someone or something awkward. You probably looked like a drugged up zombie walking around in the dark. Binoculars are made to magnify your vision, to see far distances clearly. However, when misused, you’ll be looking at the wrong things in great detail all the while obstructing your view of things that you really should be taking into account. This silly image is very accurate to the way we sometimes walk through life. Magnifying all the wrong things while ignoring the things that if we saw clearly, would save us a lot of grief.
Matthew 6:22-23 says "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

It is crucial that we not only see clearly, but that we see all the right things clearly, because our perception determines our choices, our direction and our actions. If we see clearly, then everything falls into place. If we see clearly, we understand the heart of God.

I’ve noticed that when bad things happen to us, our natural response is to scrutinize the situation, looking into the bad and magnifying it, blowing it out of proportion to attempt to figure out why it happened, who was at fault and what to do next. However, that self-centered reaction obstructs the big picture, the picture that God painted for us. When this happens, our sight is narrow. Zooming into the negativity and self-pity that leads us to miss the true heart of God. Yet, when we remove those binoculars, and see the big picture of what God is doing in our hearts and the grand plan that He has for us, we are able to see how minute the moment of pain is, whether we know the exact purpose of the trial or not, we see the beauty of the whole painting.

However, spiritual binoculars aren't always a bad thing. Sometimes, God will call us to evaluate ourselves, to improve and to remove the sin and pride and stumbling blocks in our lives. However, it is important not to stare at the same thing for too long, or the bad will become imprinted in our minds, and the enemy will jump at the chance to play the guilt game or the ‘you’re not good enough’ card. Magnify and remove. Don’t stare.
Taking the binoculars and actually using it the right way, by looking at the distance and keeping your eyes zoomed in on the goal will encourage you and keep you focused on the race. To see the heavenly rewards of keeping your integrity and fighting with everything you have for the One who gave everything for you. That’s the big picture for all who follow Christ. To live, fight, and die for the cause of Christ.

So I guess all I’m trying to say is, when you feel discouraged, step back and look at the beautiful painting that God painted uniquely for you. If you’re tired, then take off those binoculars and look to your side, to find the comfort and support of the Holy Spirit guiding you and helping you every step of the way. If you are feeling weighed down by guilt and shame, stop staring at yourself and look up at the empty cross. And if you feel lost, then lift your head to see the Lord waiting at the finish line, arms wide open, waiting to say “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.