Looking at the Big Picture: Confessions of a Sinner

"Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."
Psalm 116:7 NIV

At work, I have really been struggling to see the big picture. I have seen my ethic challenged, but unlike Christ, I rose to defend myself. Each night, I have kept this burden on my mind without releasing it. I have let it affect the way I presented myself at work, when another co-worker even questioned me that something about me was different. I did not turn it over to Christ, instead letting it change even my testimony. And, in this, I have sinned.

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 NIV

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7 NIV

Today, I felt relieved to make it through yet another route evaluation in hopes of somehow earning their mark of approval. It has been about me the entire time. And, again, I failed to realize, I have sinned, in my pride.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." I Peter 2:23 NIV

Last night, as Nikki read Hope's devotional, we both realized it was not for her. The Holy Spirit instead had us in mind. It was entitled "Big Picture". As children, we accept things so simply. As adults, we strive for the mark, but miss it because we often do not see God in the big picture.

"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 NIV

This is an excerpt from the Veggietales "Growing Day by Day" 365 Daily Devos for Girls:
"Remembering all the great things God has done for you can change how you look at the not-so-good things that can happen sometimes. It's what we call "perspective" - a big word that really means looking at the "big picture." Here are a few things to think about today:
#1 God made you and loves you forever
#2 God sent His Son, Jesus, to give you eternal life.
#2 God has a great plan for your life.
#4 God has given you talents and abilities so you can grow and do amazing things.
If you remember God's blessings and keep your eyes on the big picture, it is easy to relax and trust God."

Sin is not just the bad things we do in our lives; it is simply falling short of the mark God has made for us. Falling short of His righteousness, His perfection, His holiness, His Son's example. And that is what I did. And, I pray that even though I missed the mark this past week, that I can take hold of the following promise, then next time, remember to sit back, relax, and trust God.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 NIV

Thank you God for forgiveness, and thank you that you gave yourself for us regardless of our shortcomings. Thank you for the cross, and thank you especially this Easter week, for your victory over sin and death.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV