Near Sightedness

 ¹²Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances ^(AC)have turned out for the greater progress of the ^(AD)gospel,
 ¹³so that my ^(AE)imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole ^[a]praetorian guard and to ^(AF)everyone else,
 ¹⁴and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my ^(AG)imprisonment, have^(AH)far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.



Philippians 1:12-14


Paul also writes that as long as the Gospel is spread then he can rejoice.  Rejoicing in the fact that the Gospel was preached and better yet, heard.  We need to always think big picture, especially in the valleys of our life.  It's easy to focus only on our immediate struggles and question God based off our own limitations.  But we need to refocus our lenses and see it from God's perspective as best as possible while filling in the gaps with His promises through faith.  We should rejoice in our sufferings!


I have near sightedness, big time.  I have a hard time seeing beyond my nose because I want it done my way according to my timetable.  This just won't cut it.  To steal a thought from Francis Chan's "Crazy Love" book, our minds are like a soda can and God's knowledge is like an ocean.  We can only hold so little and because we're maxed out we define Him by that.  We need to understand the little we have only in the context of His promises and teachings.  I need to always calibrate on Him, not me.


Father God, thank You for blessing me with my little soda can.  Even more, I thank You that that's not all and that You have a huge reservoir of You!  I pray Lord with every breath that I continue to see You in awe and amazement!!!  Love You Jesus, Amen!