Day 7: Seeing the Bigger Picture - ICOC New England App

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Day Seven from Florence Schachinger

Take a moment to be quiet with God. Begin by reading 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

¹³It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[a] Since we have that same spirit of^[b] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Just like Hagar, I have encountered the God who saw me as a desperate young woman trying to fill my heart with the empty way of life. Sitting under my tree and not liking who I had become and afraid of the future. God saw me, he loved me and transformed me. Now as women of maturity, ( 38 years later!) my Father in heaven STILL sees me! He is molding me, moving my heart and desiring for me to see the bigger picture! Many times, just as I think, OK God I see what you’re doing, a twist in the plot happens! Father, you certainly keep me on my faithful toes!! Satan wants to take my eyes off the big picture & for me to get distracted, discouraged, doubtful and even at times disillusioned.

Moses chose to be mistreated because he was looking ahead to his reward! (Heb 11:24-27) Moses left Egypt unafraid, “ for he endured, steadfastly as seeing Him who is unseen.” How can I grow in this perspective, this conviction, this faith? I need to open my spiritual eyes! I need to look all around me at the trees, birds, ocean, my vegetable garden, a new baby grandson and SEE the invisible God become visible! Words that stand out to me in 2 Corinthians 4 are:

“ Because we know…” 2 Cor 4:14

Do I see God’s power? Am I meditating on the truth of how big God is? Look at Job 38 if you need a reminder, like me!

“All this is for your benefit…” 2 Cor 4:15

Perspective! Grace will increase , God will be gloried, thanksgiving will flow, SOMEHOW! Do I see the benefits when I am walking “ in the valley of the shadow of death”? Do I remember that it says in Psalm 23 that He is WITH me? Will I allow Him to teach me through the difficult times to see the big picture?

“We do not lose heart” 2 Cor 4:16

How can I renew my heart daily for God? How can I keep the right perspective and protect, care for my soul? What are these troubles achieving in my walk with God?

“Fix our eyes…” 2 Cor 4:18

What are my eyes fixed on? What will help me see things as “light & momentary?”

Prayer : Lord, help me trust your plan, to see the bigger picture. To know with confidence you are with me, open my eyes today!