Topic: Perspective
Author: Larry Ely (Youth Pastor)
I walked up to the counter at Wendy’s and ordered a double cheeseburger, fries, and a small Dr. Pepper. The gal asked me “Would you like to Biggie size that?” I think about it…tempting, but “No thanks.” When I get the drink I noticed that it’s a medium. Well, it used to be a medium. They changed all their sizes a while back and now it’s Big, Bigger, Biggest, Super Big, Monster Big or something ridiculous like that. In fact, if you want the smallest one, you have to order off the $1 menu and ask for the “value” size. So who cares right, why not just get the biggest one and be done with it?
Well, as this new year kicks off, I was struck by how “Bigger” I’ve become. Yes, physically, I’ve gained weight (yeah, yeah maybe I should lay off the cheeseburgers!) But more than that- mentally, I’ve allowed my world, my problems, my frustrations, my worries, my issues, & my concerns to become bigger, too big.
Somewhere along the line this past year, I lost perspective and forgot that I am small- value sized even. And that God is Big- Monster Big. He’s bigger than my problems, bigger than family issues, bigger than economics, bigger than health issues, bigger than any struggle or tragedy that we can possible face.
I’m mad at myself, because I know better. I know God is Big and I am small, so do you. However, that’s why it’s a journey and why we need to remind each other from time to time. In light of that, check out Paul’s reminder to the Philippians:
- “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” -Philippians 3:20-21
So that’s it- we don’t belong in this oversized fast food world. Our citizenship is in Heaven, and God is in control even now.
New Year’s resolutions or not- it’s a good time of year to get a fresh start, to get a fresh perspective, & to simplify. Sometimes smaller is better. Get alone this week and take some time to get smaller, re-evaluate, center yourself, & refocus on God and the things that matter.
Text: © 2011 LCC- F.R.O.G. Youth Ministry * Used with author’s permission * Image: google free use license
