Scenario #1: I woke up Tuesday morning earlier than normal so I just decided to get up, do my normal morning routine, then head to the office. It had rained stormed part of the night, but that was okay. Well, not quite, because when I got to the office I noticed it was pitch black, except for the Emergency lights inside. A tree had taken down a power line. Anyway, I found my way around, grabbed my computer and a couple of books and headed back home. Minor inconvenience.
Scenario #2: I was able to go for a bike ride Tuesday since the sun came out and with the help of the breeze, dried the pavement. Did I say breeze? I should have said, “Strong winds” (15-18 mph with gusts to 23). The kind that make a cyclist feel like he is working extra hard and going nowhere. But at least I was able to ride. Minor inconvenience.
Scenario #3: A couple months ago I received a call on a Sunday morning at 1:00 from the alarm company. The church building’s alarm was going off. They had already dispatched the police. Really? 1:00 on a Sunday morning? Do you know what I have to do in about 3 hours? Get up! As far as we can tell the strong winds rattled an inadequately locked door which set off the alarm. Minor inconvenience.
Scenario #4: (Go back to scenario #1 for a moment). I turned on my computer and always check my email first. There was one waiting for me from Floyd, asking me to pray for a fellow blogger (TC). I had no clue why since I had gone TVless on Monday night. It wasn’t until I checked the news that I heard about the twister that devastated Oklahoma. TC and her family live near OKC. I shot off an email to Craig Groeschel, pastor of Lifechurch, who also lives near OKC. Floyd heard from TC; I heard from Craig.
Now you see why I called the first three scenarios “Minor inconveniences?” What seemed such a big deal when it happened (except I will take a bike ride in windy weather and not complain), suddenly loses it sting-its oomph-when put on the scales of real life experiences. As I write this the death toll stands at 24. That is, of course, 24 too many. But it also puts things into perspective. What is a minor inconvenience of getting up for an alarm? Least I was able to get up out of my own bed. What is a minor inconvenience of no power for about 4-5 hours when hundreds will be without power, even a house, for days and possibly months? What is a minor inconvenience of riding in tiring winds? Least I was able to get on my bike and ride without having to look at total devastation.
So much of what we I go through are minor inconveniences compared to the bigger picture. I don’t know about you, but I need to pause stop and take a look at the bigger picture. What does your picture look like? Oh, and pray for the folks in OKC.
Bill you are not alone. I lose track of the bigger picture all the time. I get so focused on me, Me, ME. In truth, I had not, until I read your post tonight, even taken a single moment to pray for the folks who are hurt and suffering. Thanks for the reminder. Blessings.
Glad I jogged your memory Daniel. I need mine jogged often. More like shock treatment.
RE: Scenario #1 – you woke up EARLIER than usual? O_O As of now, you get up when I barely got some sleep 😀
RE: Inconveniences – perspective truly puts things at right places. I like to compare it to flying in an airplane (I *love* flying) – when you’re on the ground, the skyscrapers seem tall and lots of people out there on the streets (well, in my city, anyway, considering 5 mln population)… But once you’re up in the air and look at it all… you realize that most problems are manageable.
The use of the airplane is a great way to illustrate perspective Zee. I am astounded by 5 million people! My town is around 2300. 😛
Yep – 5 million… What’s ironic is that I don’t like to be with a lot of people around me… (which is why I felt perfectly in place when I was in Idaho Falls…)… 2,300 sounds great! One day, I *will* make it to your town 🙂
Look forward to that and am holding you to it as well. 🙂
While comparisons can be dangerous, looking at others lives & situations can create a much-needed shift in perspective. In other words, we need to get outside of ourselves and focus on others regularly in order to have a healthy view on our journey through life.
I’m not big on comparisons either Kari. Have even blogged about that but this is something different as you noticed. It never hurts to have a healthy view on our journey.
I think we’re all guilty of missing the big picture and making bigger deals out of the things that should really point to the fact that we’ve got it good. We’re spoiled… My heart breaks for the loss and devastation, and while I don’t fully know the reasons, I’m certain that positives can come out of this negative… one small one of which is putting things back into perspective for all of us as we pray. Great post, Bill. Minor inconveniences compared to what truly matters…
I am guilty far too often of taking minor things and building them into majors. I miss the big picture. Trying to do much better in my outlook. Prayer does tend to do that. Thanks Floyd.
Challenging post brother. It is God’s perspective we need in our daily walk. He cares about our minor issue for they are what builds Godly character. Without the minor we will certainly fail the major. For me the key is trust Him in my minors as well as the major. It’s an ongoing lesson for sure.
We need to remember God does care about the minor things as well as the major. I totally agree with the idea of building godly character.
We all tend to get so focused on ourselves that the molehills seem like mountains. We all need a good dose of perspective, don’t we?
yes we do on both counts.
i am very irritated at inconveniences. But far too often, if only I open my eyes, God has a blessing for me right in the middle of them.
I often consider them annoyances. But,like you, I need to open my eyes also and the blessing can be seen. Thanks David.
Perspective is a valuable thing. I’m so guilty of fixating on the minor while forgetting to thank God for the overabundance of blessings in my life. I was praying for TC as well as other friends and family in Oklahoma and my heart breaks for the parents who lost their children. You remember how fragile things are as well as how much God protects us from every single day. He is good and His love endures forever… Thanks Bill.
Isn’t OK where you will be moving soon jason? For some reason that comes to mind. You are right though about the fragility of things.
Thank you so much for helping us regain His perspective today. Praying that it doesn’t take something so devastating to get my focus back the way it should be. And Praying for those in OK each day. God bless you!
Stuff like this makes what we whine about seem ridiculous, doesn’t it