Magnify

I have a stack of reader glasses lined up on my desk, and it takes me only a short time to go through my pile and have to go through the house and retrieve them all again. That may sound over indulgent but I have learned that this is just the way I operate.  I am dependent on those glasses because they magnify the little things that I cannot see. I suspect that a few of you reading this right now might have the same issue, and then there are the young ones who are reading this that have not yet reached the point of need for visual assistance; may it be a long time for you to get there.   Magnification is a must in my world, which brings me to the point of my devotional today. 

In the Tuesday bible study series that I am attending, Pam has one visual that seems to pop up quite often in her talks. It is one of those slightly rectangular plastic magnifying sheets.  I am sure many of you have seen them at Walgreens and such.  You place it over whatever it is that you are trying to see in greater detail and it truly does magnify the image.  And her point is simply this:  What are you making Big in your life?  Is it God? Or is it your circumstance, your children, your job, your bank account, other people, your calendar, yourself, etc. Simple question, and we all know what the answer should be, but time and time again, I don't know about you but I  do tend to place that little magnifier on many things other than God.

I think about my little nest of glasses, and how I distribute them all around the house depending on what my interruption or distraction at the time may be. That is kind of the same thing I do with putting God first.  I will consciously put Him on (grant His Spirit a commanding lead in my life), and then unconsciously take Him off (close the door on His Spirit and depend on my own abilities to take a commanding role) only to need Him again a few minutes later. If I consciously submit to the Lord's way, and magnify his mighty name, it leads to joyful expectancy; and that is what happens when I make the Lord BIG! Encased in that expectancy, I am reminded that God will never leave me unattended; he celebrates my joys and comforts me in sorrow.  

Think about what is big in your life right now?  Maybe you have a scheduled surgery or treatments coming up, or you are planning a destination wedding, or you are dealing with elderly parents, or you have a child who is struggling, or you are confronted with what seems to be a monumental task that has launched you right out of your comfort zone.  The question we all have to ask when anything that we are dealing with is gaining momentum and causing stress and frustration is: are any of those things really bigger than God? And the answer is clearly no.  It is hard to submit our fears and anxiousness to God, but I can truly speak from some remembered really low points in my life, that God is bigger than any of my challenges.  He did show up, and He did give me the strength, the power, the wisdom and the perseverance to forge ahead.  But I was expectant of His overseeing and able ability to get me through the tough times. He was there then and continues to faithfully be with me now, just as he promises for each of you.   

Remember the story of Peter walking towards God on the water, Peter said: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. God said "Come". Peter got out of the boat and and walked on the water towards Jesus.  BUT seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me."  He lost his focus, just as we sometimes lose ours.  When we begin to see Jesus small and circumstances big, we will sink;  Sink into frustration, sink into anger, sink into fear, sink into anxiousness, sink into self consciousness, sink into despair, sink into depression, and sink into the quick sands of defeat.    

We are called to make God so BIG that all else is obstructed.  Now seriously this is a great visual:  we have been at events where we have sat behind someone who is so big and so tall that we can not get a clear view of the event before us.  If we make God so Big that we can only see him and the sight of our event, though we know it is in motion is skewed by His towering authority and position, we are good to go in spite of what we see on this earth. For God trumps all events, and if we are faithful and magnify Him over our circumstances, He will give us the confidence, motivation and encouragement to find a peace and joy that exceed the circumstances.

When we choose to be expectant of Christ and dismiss our worldly expectations, we are magnifying  the one who has the power to fulfill the will that he has ordained for each of our lives. In troubled times and in times of joy, God is the one to count on. Put your glasses on and see God BIG!

Psalm 138:2

I will bow down toward your holy temple    and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the constant reminder through bible study that you are bigger than our circumstances. Help us to magnify your name and faithfully trust in your ways.

Amen                                    

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!