That saying is all over businesses. You need to see the “big picture”. We want to always keep the “big picture” in mind. Don’t forget the “big picture” here.
What is that? I think what that phrase is trying to communicate is much like a photograph I saw once.
It was of a leaf. A golden yellow Aspen leaf. Bright bright gold. It took up the full frame and was brilliant and gold. One leaf.
Then, as the lens widened, a very different picture took shape. There was a branch, then lots of other leaves, then the tree, then many trees, then a hillside full of trees and then…a mountain side.
It was a picture of the largest living organism on earth. An Aspen grove. A single grove, all connected. Not just a leaf.
The wider the lens, the more clear the picture.
I think that’s what God meant when he said that we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow for all we have is today. He knows that our lens is narrow and his is wide.
A tragedy is still a tragedy, but widen the lens. Looking at a tragedy after a year or two years or two decades…and many times we see the “big picture”.
How does the big picture help? For me it helps to see purpose.
The small picture: I was fired recently for doing the right thing and I was angry. The big picture: It was God helping me do something else he wanted me to do but knew I would have a tough time leaving that job.
The small picture: I have relentless pain in my chest. The big picture: The pain in my chest reminds me of my need of Him and makes me more compassionate in my leading.
In all honesty, I’m not sure I believe that last one. But I’m trying.
But what I do know is today is the 200th day since the darkest day of my life. And after 200 days the picture is MUCH clearer today. The lens is wider and I see more purpose today. I see God’s love through my friends and family. I see that maybe I am a blessing to others and not a burden. I see Him removing me from a difficult job situation and putting me in a much better one. I see suffering differently.
I see…the big picture…
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