The Big Picture

I started playing this game that shows two pictures with a space for two words per picture and letter combinations.http://www.amazon.com/Maribou-Inc-Word-Rings/dp/B00X4KIKCI/ref=pd_sim_405_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GF6BXRBZWRHXCRAW62B

The goal is to combine letters to form words that relate to the picture. Some of them are obvious and others are not. When one picture is completed the letters swirl in a circle and another picture is replaced, and letter combinations added. I find that in playing this game I have a hard time connecting into the thoughts of the creator and their vision of some of the pictures. 

I have been thinking big picture ideas lately. I have had several conversations about the lack of vision of healthcare companies and pharmacies looking to save money now at the expense of spending much more later. My conclusion is they must look at the long term and not short term returns. 

I encountered many juxtapositions of this thought in other areas lately. This past week particularly in regards to ministry. I realize we live in a time of now, and immediacy. We have created a culture that demands things are fixed yesterday. Patience is a lost virtue.

But some things take time. Some messes take a long time to be made and a longer time to clean up. Systems with delicate balances can fall into disarray quickly, and yet require a long investment of time and resources to re-synchronize. As we evaluate the state of things we need to remember that adjustments take time and we need to seek vision of the long term consequences. we must not be misled to confuse inactivity and avoidance with patience.

I was listening to Reverend George Howard of the General Board of Global Ministries http://www.umcmission.org/speak on missions. He said something that has put new words to the ministry pictures for me. He indicated there is a point when we must surpass relief and work towards empowerment and sufficiency. An article in the "Together" magazine about the changing ministries at Broadway UMC in Indianapolis that outlined their shift to a bigger picture. They moved from relief to a community that encourages mutual support and sufficiency. http://www.inumc.org/together

What is the big picture? I see in my community a generation of families that are disconnected from their neighbors.  I see parents that have not been mentored in the basics of child development and basic home economic skills.  The relief we provide does not seem to engage these families to move beyond where they are into sufficiency and empowerment, but allows them to remain in a position that needs continued relief.

I believe the big picture for community and the church is to reengage to empower all of God's children to be strong and vital. We need to work in patient diligence to achieve a stronger church that is encouraging communities to once again support and mentor each other. The big picture takes time and effort with goals and vision. The big picture is to support all people to know of God's love and grace, and live in response to it. This picture God has drawn for us in his Word, and yet we are all still trying to get the right letter combinations to spell it out and understand what the creator sees.

I pray for patience, and commitment as we worship God and live in loving response. I pray that as Christians we can see the picture that God desires us to see and understand as it relates to our section of his world. I pray we find ways to work within and toward God's intentions for our lives in achieving his big picture. I pray we can all contribute with passion and excitement to claim those combinations of letters that spell out for us our portion of God's picture. May we find blessings in our waiting for the final revelation as the letters swirl and a new picture is revealed. The picture of glory itself.

Blessings for an amazing Sabbath,

Ann