Seeing Ourselves in the Bigger Picture

The human tendency for us is to see ourselves as bigger in importance than is typically true.  Our resume or Facebook presence tends to put ourselves at our very best.  I have been working on a study of my church's denominational history.  In reviewing and preparing for the study outlines I continue to marvel at all that influenced the founders in their desire to start a new movement.  There is not some simple answer but a multitude of factors, personalities, and circumstances that combined together to allow that new Christian movement to be birthed.  An individual from this perspective is significant, yet is smaller than we want to imagine.


The famous quote "No man(person) is an island" is very true.  Each of us is part of something much bigger and grander.  The joy is that we get to take part in these bigger initiatives, programs, movements when they are presented to us.  Maybe it is being a part of starting a company from the ground floor.  Maybe it is being a part of a charitable organization that seeks to serve the least of these in our world.  Maybe it is joining a group of people that truly want to make a difference in this world.  The impact of our presence alone will never match the impact when joined together with others.

As we are on the heals of MLK day, this is even more clear.  Martin Luther King, Jr. sought to include as many people as possible in the rights for all people to be included and welcome.  He inspired people beyond himself to be a part of a cause of dramatic impact to our nation and world. 

This kind of thinking give us pause to consider the use of our time and who we spend out time when in our life.  Have I made the most helpful choices in how I want my life to be used?  Have I surrounded myself with the right people?  Am I humble enough to let the cause rise above my personal ambitions?

I have been preaching the past few weeks and will continue to preach from the Gospel of Matthew in worship.  I continue to be strengthened by the fact that Jesus is always pointing away from himself and instead pointing people to God.  Jesus simply wants people to reconnect with God and serve God's Kingdom with love and compassion over and above all the human limitations we put upon ourselves.  Jesus saw the big picture of God's desire for all of us.  The faithful are asked to consider that our work on this planet is for all of us.  The work is greater than me.  Jesus invites us to join the story and see ourselves in the bigger picture God has drawn for us to live.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Dr. Chris Wilson