“The Big Picture”

Originally Posted May 29, 2020

“Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.” (Psalm 89:2) 

Wow, that is the “big picture” … focusing on it keeps us from getting bogged down in the daily trials of life. No matter what is going on, no matter what problems, no matter the Corona Virus Pandemic, no matter what…all will be well with my soul.  

It’s vital in life to always have the “big picture” before you. It brings “perspective”. It brings balance. It helps you to not panic or despair or be discouraged. The ultimate perspective is that God loves us and died on the cross for our sins and is preparing a place for each of us in heaven. With that truth in my heart and mind, nothing can defeat me. In the end, despite all my trials and hardships, all will be well with my soul. 

It’s said that St. Philip Neri had perspective….“the ability to understand what is important and what isn’t.” St. Philip Neri was noted for “his ability to be cheerful and to laugh from the depths of his  burning love for the crucified Christ and to win other hearts for Christ by the quality of his joy. He was known for his cheerfulness and joy.” (Magnificat, May, 26, 2020, p. 381) To have a sense of humor is to be wise enough to see things in proportion… to see the big picture.

It’s not easy to have perspective when you’re a kid. I remember my little 3 year old grandson getting a big ice cream cone. His eyes were as “big as basketballs”; he was almost shaking with delight. A blind man could have predicted what came next…. in slow motion the big scoop traveling up in the air in an big arc, all eyes following it, and then “plop” on the floor…. and then the scream, the tears and anguish … the world had come to an end. But wait, his mother who did have perspective and saw the big picture, quickly came to the rescue with “we’re going to get another ice cream cone… and it going to be even better because we’re going to put it in a cup. 

When our “proverbial ice cream” plops on the ground and we’re ready to panic, know that our wonderful God is always there reminding us of the big picture. He’s always there working things to the good and showing us that a bigger and better ice cream awaits us if we only trust in him.  For “we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) That’s the BIG PICTURE.