When I edit photos, I often zoom way in to see how clear the photo actually is. It’s my way of comparing to pick the clearest one. I was doing this the other day when my husband came into the room. For fun, I wondered if he could tell what I had actually taken a photo of. Since it was zoomed in, it was hard to tell what it was. I asked him and the guessing began.
This is the photo I showed him. Any guesses as to what it is?
It’s much easier to understand something when we can see the whole picture, isn’t it?
When we are in the midst of a difficult season, it becomes overwhelming because we can’t see a way out or see what the purpose is or see when it will change. We want to know why and we want to make sense of it all. But when we take a moment to remember Who is painting the picture, we can rest in our faith.
Although sometimes we may think we are, we are not in control of the big picture. We have our own limits. God does not have limits.
When we remember He is limitless, it serves as our reminder of how much we need Him.
When we let our own limited perspective get in our way, we miss Him in the midst. When we dwell on the outcome, we miss what is happening now. He is right there with us. He knows the way. He sees the whole picture and He knows how it will all come together.
Isaiah reminds us that His ways and thoughts are beyond us. There are things we just can’t see or know.
‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ {Isaiah 55:8-9}
God sees the whole journey.
Every step is important to Him. He understands what is happening. He knows our circumstances. He is our guide and He is our helper. He comes to meet us where we need Him. There is a larger meaning to the journey He has us on. Nothing is wasted.
He will not leave it undone.
Perspective. I know we all can look back on a time with a different perspective and see the hand of God at work. But I also understand how difficult it was at the time getting through the tough season because we didn’t know the bigger picture. Believe me, I have been there and it is not easy.
Please let me encourage you to hold on tight to faith as the story unfolds.
Things around us will always be changing. Things within us will always be changing. God does not change and He sees the whole, big picture.
Even though we may not see things clearly, just hold on. Time will pass and we will see it as clearly as He had planned. It will be like seeing with new eyes. Seeing things through His planned perspective.
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ {Jeremiah 29:11}
After several great guesses as to what my photo was, I zoomed back out a bit until it became clear. My husband said, “Okay, yes, now I see it!”
What a difference the proper perspective can make.
Were you curious as to what the whole picture is from above? We don’t always get to see the whole picture so quickly, but in this case if you really want to know, you can click here to see what it is.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
Oh dear….I guessed a pringles potato chip lol. I would have never gotten this one right. I think this is my favorite post of yours that I’ve read. I love how it is filled with Truth and seeing God’s Perspective as witnessed through the eyes of a photographer is the perfect analogy. His thoughts ARE so much higher than mine. I am able to trust Love’s heart, even if I am too close to the situation to see the big picture. Time, trials, triumphs, and experience have helped to teach me that God truly has my back. He IS faithful and He had my best interest in mind. Sometimes my “best interest” includes building my character, but even as my faith muscles are stretched, He is always there…never letting me fall. I think I need to re-read this 🙂 Loved this!
Blessings,
Bev
Angela says
Bev, I look forward to reading your comments each morning. Your perspective is so reassuring. I wish you continued blessings!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Thanks Angela…you made my day 🙂 I love the community I find here each morning and encouragement is a precious commodity these days…
Blessings to you this day,
Bev xx
Jennifer Studio JRU says
That was a pretty good guess, Bev… I can see a chip! 🙂 Really grateful you enjoyed the post so much. Thank you for your encouragement! And thank you for your beautiful thoughts!
Lynette says
Thank you so much for this. Lately I feel I have been zoomed in to all my worries. I’m not putting things in the proper perspective. Your words have brought me back to the Lord to remember what he has said. Thank you for your encouraging words. This is exactaly what I needed to read this morning.
Blessings,
Lynette
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I love how you put that… “zoomed into my worries”. So happy the timing of the post was good for you, Lynette! Thank you!
Michele Morin says
Amazing picture!
Your words remind me of a story that Elisabeth Elliot used to tell about her days in the jungle. Apparently Jim took a picture of something outside their house in the Ecuadorian jungle — not realizing that there was a huge ugly insect on the window. When they finally were able to view the photo, instead of the beautiful view he intended, there was this big ugly bug!
Like you, her point was that it’s all in our focus! So often I’m completely obsessed with the up close ugly, when God wants to show me a vista of beauty!
Blessings to you!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh what a great story, Michele! A vista of beauty… oh yes, that is wonderful!
toyin says
Fantastic!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Thank you so much, Toyin!
Shirl says
My daughter is struggling so very hard right now. I pray for her and try to find words of encouragement to remind her that God is in control. This will be something I can share with her – Thank you for this timely word today!
Be blessed!
An says
Shirl, I know that the Lord will bring you both through this for He is so very faithful and true. We may be perplexed or feel crushed, but the Lord is there listening so closely to the cries of our hearts, wrapping us in His arms, feeling with us. My heart it there with you, praying that He gently holds you both close today 🙂
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Beautiful, An… thank you for reaching out in prayer!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Praying for your daughter, Shril! I hope she can find the encouragement she needs to touch her heart and remind her of His love!
Candy says
Jennifer,
You may never know how much I needed you message this morning! He is so faithful and I am encouraged at a time that I could easily give up. I will trust in Him and lean on my faith as the future unfolds and God’s plan is revealed. Thank you for blessing me today❤️ Candy
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Praying for you Candy…life is HARD, but God is good….may you feel Him holding onto you this day!! He won’t let you fall…don’t give up…He’s got this…
Bev xo
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Beautiful! Thank you for reaching out in prayer for Candy today, Bev!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh how I love to hear when the timing of a message is spot on. Love how He works like that! Praying for you today, Candy!
patricia says
thank you for this meaningful article.I’m going thru a very tough & hurtful situation now between me & my son….theres no trust but anger,impatience,misunderstandings,arguements & its breaking us apart…dont know what to do but this article is a great reminder to surrender everything to God,HE has it covered…easier said than done but got to try to put it into practice….appreciate prayers from those reading this.Thank you & God bless all
An says
Patricia, I’m so sorry for this situation in your lives. I have found myself in a similar place too and it helps to ask the Holy Spirit to grant me the mind of Christ and the hope of His heart. You are strong, Patricia, for He lives in you 🙂 My heart goes out to you and I pray that He brings His peace and comfort to your hearts, rest to your souls 🙂
patricia says
Thank you,An, for yr encouragement,comforting words & prayers.
God bless you always!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh yes, Patricia, I understand “easier said than done”. Life is hard. Praying for you and your son today. Praying His love overwhelms you!
patricia says
Thank you Jen for yr inspirational article…..it gives hope & it reminds me to put God at the Centre of all our trials & struggles & sufferings & to totally surrender in His trust & mercy.
Thank you too for yr prayers,God bless you always!
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
I got the picture wrong also. I thought it was a ceiling or floor grill. Loved this post! The analogy of perspective from a photographer is unique and right on. I have found that perspective-stepping aside and seeing the whole picture makes it more clear. You don’t always know the plans God has for you. BTW you used my life verse Jeremiah 29:11. Having gone through some trials with my aging dad and now seeing how God has worked it all out has taught me to pray and wait on the Lord. He may be trying to build character, trust in me. He knows the whole journey!!
Blessings 🙂
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh… I can see guessing a floor grill! That is such a beautiful verse, Beth. I just love it! So grateful to hear how He has brought you through part of your journey in life with your dad. He teaches us in such extraordinary ways, doesn’t He?!
Jeanne Takenaka says
Jennifer, such a great post. The Lord has been teaching me a lot about perspective over the past few years. A couple years ago, it was my One Word. I still have much to learn about not focusing in so much on what I think I can see that I miss the work God is doing in the bigger picture of my life.
I’m in a place right now, where I struggle to keep an accurate perspective. Hope deferred makes for discouragement. But God . . . He’s writing a story with my life (and each of ours) that is bigger than we can see. I need to focus on Him rather than on what I see happening in my life right now.
I loved your picture and your puzzle. I guessed some sort of fabric. Loved the picture. And, I loved your message. Thank you!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Fabric is a really good guess… I can totally see that! Sounds like He is doing some amazing thinks with your journey, Jeanne! It is hard to keep an accurate perspective and that is why I have to rely on reminders! God knows I need them! 🙂
Makebah says
This a great read,am encouraged.Because HE lives I can face tomorrow .Be blessed
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Thank you so much, Makebah!
Joy Thacker says
Jennifer, seems you wrote this just for me. 🙂 Isaiah 55:8-9 has been on my mind much lately. I’ve been facing a difficult decision and am confused as to which way God wants me to press in. I love this beautifully written reminder that God doesn’t have limits. His ways and thoughts are higher than mine. He sees the whole picture. Though I can’t make sense of the particulars I’m seeing right now, it’s an opportunity for me to grow my trust in our limitless God. Thank you for your encouragement! <3 Well — what a surprise about the picture. It looked like a corduroy suitcoat to me! 🙂
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh I love that guess, Joy!! So grateful you could be encouraged as you are going through this part of your journey. Praying for you as you trust in our limitless God!
Crystal Storms says
Jennifer, I love your words on perspective. My view from an airplane window a year ago reminded me of how big my God is and how small my prayers were. But realizing that focusing on outcomes can cause me to miss His abiding presence is a reminder my heart needs today. Thank you for your encouragement. : )
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Looking out an airplane window is a wonderful reminder of things, isn’t it?! I love how He teaches us! 🙂
janice says
Great reminder! I also often tell people to hold a pencil tip right up in front of their face – it obscures your line of vision even though “it’s no bigger than a pencil point”… our perspective is often skewed.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I just love that, Janice! What a great visual for us all!
An says
Jennifer, I am so grateful for these gentle words that the Lord tugs at my soul with-your words are such a blessing. He reminded me to forget the former things, to not dwell on the past, to see Him doing a new thing, and trust in it. Sometimes I get so focused on things that I miss Him, I over-focus to control or because I don’t understand. Putting on the mind of Christ helps to see through His glasses, the lens of His Word. May we all see though His eyes today, sharing His heart for us all, learning new things through the joy of seeing Him work 🙂 (I thought that it was corduroy too :P)
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh yes, may we all see through His eyes! Amen to that, An! (Now that you guys say that, I really see corduroy too!)
Stephanie says
Thank you for sharing Jennifer. Really needed this reminder. God has beautiful plans for our lives, I pray that we always trust in Him. Xoxo
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Thank you so much, Stephanie! He does have beautiful plans for us!
Rebecca L Jones says
I had about three wrong guess. The Lord taught me about perspective, using the phrase perception and deception. We don’t always see the big picture, perception and when we don’t understand the Word or His plans for us, along comes the enemy with his lies and deception. We don’t have to fall for it. Trick photography is fun, but we matter so much to God. Great post!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh yes… love that thought, Rebecca! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kathy Cheek says
Since I am hungry, I see a BBQ potato chip!
You hit so many nails on the head, so many timely reminders for our questions and struggles. Such a great post and we need to tuck these reminders in our heart.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Ahaha! That is a great guess, Kathy! Thank you!
Kay says
Not even close …
Thought it was a fabric …
Either crafting or clothing …
Wow, that makes the point …
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I am thinking fabric was probably a common guess, Kay. Grateful to know the point came through. Thank you!
Calista Baker says
I needed this reminder on perspective today. Thank you.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Happy to hear it was good timing for you, Calista. His perfect timing!
Marianne says
Thank you Jennifer, God has led you to speak to all of us especially me. Wrong decisions have broken my heart. I thought I was on the right path. I hope God will take the wheel and correct my steering. Painful times….. Thank you for the encouragement.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I am so sorry for your rough journey, Marianne. Praying the path ahead for you is so much more than you could have ever expected!