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com/2013/02/24/bigger-picture

Bigger Picture: Let Me See

Its far too easy to carry on in our day-to-day lives without stopping to see the full context. But what if there is a greater purpose, a bigger picture in which to take part? Wouldnt that make our lives far more meaningful? When we do pause and take a really good look around us, we begin to see where we can make a difference in the lives of others, thereby enriching our own.

Scriptural Context:
Matthew 25:34-40 I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Ephesians 1:18 Open the eyes of my heart (paraphrase) Mark 12:30-31 Love your neighbour as you love yourself. 1 John 4:7-21 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love. We love, because he first loved us.

Reflection:
Its a common, nagging question that trips many of us up from time to time: Can I make my life count? Erikson called it Generativity, or a drive to make the world a better place, and to leave a positive imprint. Maslow referred to it as self-actualization or reaching ones fullest potential, and, in the process, developing an integral deep fellowship with humanity, as well as profound loving bonds. The Bible refers to it as being my brothers keeper and loving my neighbour as myself. What do they all have in common? The basic human need to make a difference. Yet as our lives get busier, and we fall into the routines of daily work and family obligations, its easy to ignore whats happening around us. Without even realizing it, we put on blinders to

keep to the habitual path. We concentrate on ensuring everyone gets to where they need to be in the family schedule, and that they are well-fed and properly clothed in the process. But Maslow didnt only talk about self-actualization. He also delineated the necessary steps or requirements that need to be fulfilled before we can even approach or grasp our fullest potential. He spoke of our biological or physiological needs, like hunger, thirst, rest and clothing; as well as our needs for safety, love, and belonging. If these needs were not met, he argued, we could never fully reach our full potential, or the stage of self-actualization. So in our busy lives, as we work to ensure, to the best of our ability, that these basic needs in our family are being met, do we ever stop to think about those for whom these needs are being ignored? Do we ever open the eyes of our heart to really take a good look around us? For far too many, these needs will never be met; and the individual, social, and I would argue Spiritual, ramifications are immense. Jesus instructs his disciples to look after those in the community who need food, water, shelter, clothes, and even comfort and fellowship. Its easy to say yes to this who would deny the moral, human obligation to look after each other? But it is a far bigger demand to actually mean it, and to actually do it. We are called to give of ourselves freely, without discrimination, and with the same grace and love with which God Himself has given to us. He demands our personal involvement in caring for others. We are to love our neighbour as our self as one of the greatest commandments of all. Anyone who has given like this understands the gratification that comes from such action. There is an inner warmth, or peace, or glow that we feel when we take care of others. I believe that is the dimension of Divine Love that is within us all; the Love that knows no bounds when it is allowed to grow and to guide our actions. Indeed, we are able to love only because He first loved us. And it is this Love that compels us to see, to feel, to act to be and to do. As we live a life that Christ calls us to live, we become more like him; and in the process, His love is spread to many, many others. By tending to the biological hunger and thirst of those around us, we also tend to their Spiritual hunger and thirst. And by providing for the basic needs of those who need it most, we also experience a much deeper satiety that can only come from a Spiritual source.

Message in Music:
My Own Little World, by Matthew West http://www.vevo.com/watch/matthew-west/my-own-little-world-official-musicvideo/US82Y1000065

In my own little world it hardly ever rains I've never gone hungry, always felt safe I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet In my own little world, population: me I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give 'til it hurts And I turn off the news when I don't like what I see Yeah, it's easy to do when it's population: me What if there's a bigger picture? What if I'm missing out? What if there's a greater purpose? I could be living right now Outside my own little world Stopped at a red light looked out my window I saw a cardboard sign said, "help this homeless widow" And just above that sign was the face of a human I thought to myself, God, what have I been doing? So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye Oh, how many times have I just passed her by? I gave her some money than I drove on through And my own little world reached population: two What if there's a bigger picture? What if I'm missing out? What if there's a greater purpose? I could be living right now Outside my own little world My own little world Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours Give me open hands and open doors Put Your light in my eyes and let me see That my own little world is not about me What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out? What if there's a greater purpose? That I could be living right now I don't want to miss what matters I wanna be reaching out Show me the greater purpose So I can start living right now Outside my own little world My own little world My own little world

Wont You Be My Love, by MercyMe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKG3Pwr04A0 When you fall asleep tonight In your warm and cozy room Know that I'm awake And I've got no shelter and no food I am not alone My friends are broke and lost Looking for someone to lead them to my cross I need your help, I need your help Won't you be My voice calling Won't you be My hands healing Won't you be My feet walking into a broken world Won't you be My chain-breaker Won't you be My peacemaker Won't you be My hope and joy Won't you be My Love The other side of the world She is just a few days old A helpless little girl With no family of her own

She is not to blame for the journey she is on Her life is no mistake Won't you lead her to My cross? Won't you be My voice calling Won't you be My hands healing Won't you be My feet walking into a broken world Won't you be My chain-breaker Won't you be My peacemaker Won't you be My hope and joy Won't you be My Love To those I call My own To those I've set aside As spotless without blame The chosen ones My bride We will be Your voice calling We will be Your hands healing We will be Your feet walking into a broken world We will be Your chain-breaker We will be Your peacemaker We will be Your hope and joy We will be Your love