In recent years, I’ve been reminded of a crucial concept: “The Big Picture.”
I came across a quote from John Maxwell that I strive to keep at the forefront of my mind:
It’s not about me, it’s not about you … It’s about the big picture.
– John Maxwell
Throughout my life, I’ve frequently been reminded of my impatience and narrow mindedness – my vision. A particular instance that brought this truth home involved a friend of ours in Haiti. We could only connect with him through occasional Zoom calls, during which he described the worsening conditions his country faced.
Just before one such call, I found myself preoccupied with my own concerns: managing stress, creating a challenging budget for the bank, juggling loan decisions, and seeking new business opportunities. Meanwhile, our friend was praying for peace in his country, wisdom for its leaders, and basic necessities like water and food for his fellow citizens.
My focus was narrow and self-centered, while his was on a much larger scale—the big picture.
I aspire to be a big-picture thinker. I want to expand my perspective and see beyond my immediate concerns.
Fortunately, God sees the big picture, and it’s through His lens that we need to view our lives. Psalm 139:16 reminds us, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Similarly, 1 Corinthians tells us that we “see dimly” or “as in a mirror”—our vision is not perfect.
Without God’s perspective, I easily become distracted, and distractions can be perilous. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us that “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Without the clarity provided by God’s big-picture lens, we are vulnerable.
Our best chance to glimpse the big picture and think accordingly is through the clarity God provides in His Word.
Now is an excellent time to adopt a big-picture mindset. Are you using His lens?
Think and pray
What lens are you using to see things?
Lord, do I need a big-picture vision checkup? Help me see things Your way, using Your Word to reveal the big picture. In Jesus’ name, amen.
