The Bigger Picture...

I remember a story I was told when I was a kid, about the six blind men who went to ‘see’ what an elephant looked like. It was said that when they met with the elephant, because they could not see with their eyes, therefore they believe that whichever of its body part they touched described the elephant. So the man who touched the trunk described the elephant as a big hose, the one who touched the tusk described it as a sharp prick, the one who touched the ears described it as a broad leaf, the one who touched the leg said it was more like a tree trunk. The blind man who touched the sides of the belly said it was like a wall, and the last of the six, even laughing at the folly of his fellow blind colleagues, condescendingly said to them that the elephant was nothing more that a rope or a snake! Then they even went on in argument, until a man whose eyes were not blind came by, and pitifully explained to them that they were only just describing mere parts of a bigger whole elephant.

For many years and even till now, people have usually had a natural tendency to go through life without really understanding the bigger picture of God’s understanding, plans and purpose for their lives. They just stumble on and accept whatever comes their way as the best. I found the following verse of Bible scripture very interesting:

“1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[a] on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You........

........ 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.”~~~(Psalm 139 NKJV)

Talk about God’s perfect knowledge of man. King David in this Psalm embarks a journey of discovery of God’s omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. Until he saw the bigger picture! King David’s relationship with God was dynamic and intimate (a man after God’s heart - Acts 13:22), it was from this relationship that his perspective on life changed. As the king of Israel and the greatest military leader of his time, he rejoiced that he could draw upon God’s infinite wisdom; that he could never run from God or God’s justice, and that he could always count on God’s power whenever he needed it.

He also realized that God knows our every thought, every word, and every move (Psalm 139:1-6). That God directs us, no matter where we go (Psalm 139:7-10). He realized that God knows no hopeless or helpless situations (Psalm 139:11-12). It became clearer to him that God is the one who formed every complex detail of our bodies, minds, and spirits (Psalm 139:13-16), and that God constantly has us in His mind and is concerned with the details of our lives (Psalm 139:17-18).

Today, I realize also like King David, that God searches our hearts and will purify our motives (Psalm 139:23-24). What about you dear friend, do you see the bigger picture of your life in God? A relationship with God through Jesus Christ can give you a better perspective on life.

If you are looking for peace, you can't find it anywhere in this world except in God. Also, no one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to forgive my sins and come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen"

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

*For inquiries, email: houseofvirtue@gmail.com