The great thing about living life is the opportunity each day, not each year to have a new beginning and a fresh start. Lamentations 3:21-23 provides us a great reminder in this regard, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (NIV)
Just observe each day that comes and the most obvious evidence of a new start would be the sun shining faithfully every day. And if you have not noticed it, then you are too busy to take the time to appreciate one of God's wonderful creations. As a matter of fact, this was the first act of creation, "God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning — the first day. "(Genesis 1:5, NIV)
It is the little things of life that would make the big picture of what life is all about not the other way around. Even the insignificant details contribute to the significance of the whole matter. Let me illustrate for you to understand what I mean in a story called, "The Butterfly and the Flower: "Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly. But instead God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. The man was sad. He didn't understand why his prayer was not answered. Then he thought, "Oh well, God has too many people to care for," and he decided not to question. After some time, the man went to check up on the cactus and the caterpillar. To his surprise, from the thorny and ugly cactus, a beautiful flower had grown. And the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.
God always does things right. His way is always the best way, even if it seems all wrong to us. If you asked God for one thing and received another, trust Him. He will give you what you need at the appropriate time. What you want is not always what you need. Today's thorn is tomorrow's flower.
Whether we like it or not, we do not have the whole picture or the whole perspective of life in clear view. There are blind spots that we miss that cause us to be unaware of other things coming into play. And what we see does not really result in what they are for there is more to it than meets the eye. Thus, we must allow God to come into the equation. Furthermore, He is the only one that sees the bigger picture. Here's a scripture that would surprise you even more as stated in Isaiah 40:15, "Surely the nations are like a drop (of water) in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust". (NIV)
When we begin to see that no one on planet earth both living and dead; past, present and future has the answer to life's questions but God and God alone, you will see a different picture altogether. You will begin to see beyond any situation or circumstance you may have and they would not matter if they are positive or negative, because you have a new fresh perspective of life coming from God's perspective of your life. Therefore, if God sees farther than us, why not put our complete trust in Him? Also, the Sunday school song, "He's got the whole world in His hands" makes a whole lot of sense now because you are included in it.
As the New Year approaches, don't dread it but welcome it with open arms because you are able to see it and live it under God's care not yours.
Let's talk again!
