A PILE OF ROCKS
While living in central Georgia, my dad and I visited a nearby historic site, Rock Eagle. Standing next to it, my eyes simply saw an eight-foot-tall mound of rocks. Where was the eagle? Disappointed, I followed my dad up the tower located next to the rock pile.
Gazing down from the tower, I gasped. My perspectivecompletely shifted. I could clearly see the rocks formed the shape a giant bird. It wasn’t the most precise eagle likeness ever created, but considering it was 2000 years old, I was willing to cut them some slack. I walked away realizing what a difference our perspective makes. A one-hundred-foot tower rendered a radically different view.
We see this in scripture. When the Israelites left Egypt, God took them in the opposite direction of Canaan, their destination. I’m sure more than a few were scratching their heads, wondering why. But God knew something the people didn’t know. “God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt’” (Exodus 13:17). God knew they weren’t ready for battle. Rather than the direct route—a nine-day journey—it took forty years of wilderness wanderings to get Israel battle-ready.
Often God doesn’t lead us from point A to point B in a straight line. Instead he zig-zags us through points X, Y, and Z, turning a nine-day journey into a forty-year trek. Like the Rock Eagle tower, God sees the view from above.
Looking back over life, I breathe a sigh of relief, thanking God he didn’t give me what I wanted, when I wanted it, because I’d probably be dead. God’s view is the hundred-foot tower. Mine is a pile of rocks.
This is true, whether we’re in a difficult job, difficult marriage, or raising difficult kids. In my journey through grief I’m discovering that God’s view of life and mine aren’t the same. We exist in one geographical location at one point in time. God’s not limited by time or space. He sees everything, everywhere at once in one simple glance—past, present and future, as well as every atom in the universe. That’s why we can trust him, even when all we can see is a pile of rocks.
Principle: God has a much bigger perspective on our struggles than we do.
Ponder:
When have you had a “rock eagle” experience?
What situations are you currently in where you need to seek God’s perspective?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Exodus 13:17-22.
Prayer: All-Seeing God, your perspective on my life is so much bigger than mine. Help me trust you more as I move through life.
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Coming October 1: My new book, The Perfect Gift, a Christmas devotional, published by Our Daily Bread.