I was working through some thoughts this afternoon after feeling disturbed by someone's reaction to me. I was in a situation where I was bothered by how someone was reacting to me and treating me. And this a fellow Christian. I was troubled and feeling unsettled because my desire is to be "ok" with everyone and despite my efforts, I was not "ok" with this person.
So I thought about it ...too much.
And then I realized. My picture was too small. I had allowed this person, by their rejection of me, to define my emotions for the afternoon as well as my feelings of ministry. This after a great day in which we saw 6 people follow the Lord in believer's baptism. Where we saw the church family come together to celebrate and worship together what the Lord is doing in lives. Where we had a great time worshiping and learning together in the morning service this am. Sunday School reminded us that God is the one who determines our days. In the wake of all the bad things that can happen, there is a ton of things right now that are good that God is doing. So why am I consumed with one or two (or even three) people who won't react to me well?
My picture got too small.
I allowed one person, or one situation to be my world. Or at least to color it.
God is bigger than us. We need the big picture. When dealing with tragedy, we need to look at the big picture. When dealing with death, you have to have the big picture. When Tony DeMillo and Ben Ellis died, the only way to cope with it was to look at the big picture. One day we will see them again.
So why don't I do that now? If I have Christian brothers or sisters who right now refuse to listen, or respond, or work to reconcile, why let that become my world? Do what I can and then step back and look at the big picture. There are many places where God would have me minister and many people who want to be ministered to. The day is coming when we will all be together in heaven as one body of Christ and we will all be reconciled. That's my big picture. I need to remember this when my pictures get small.
Like they did this afternoon.
I think they call this...perspective. :)
