Perspective

In the middle of decisions, situations and questions (in a word, life), it's hard to see things for what they really are.

My feelings about something can soar one moment and die the next. Up close, some things seem big ... overwhelming ... confusing. Looking over hundreds of acres of wheat or corn, it demands work, water, harvest. The future is unsure - will hail wipe it out after the months of investment and work? Will we be able to harvest before a rain comes?

Life can seem the same way to me. What does the future hold? How will today's circumstances play into the next step?

My perspective, however, is so very limited. While I stare at the crop that surrounds me ... wondering what's next, unable to hurry progress ...

God sees my life, circumstances and future from a different angle.

"...in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!" (Ps. 139:16-17).

People change. But as Kaylene reminded me this morning, Christ does not. While I see a glimpse of His glory, when I recognize His mercy and grace in my life, He sees the entire, beautiful picture that's a part of His plan.

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" (1 Peter 4:10).