This is a devotional that I stumbled across as I was searching for something else on my computer. As I reread it I thought that it is still significant for us today. It was written in 2010 and I have revised it slightly to update it.
I went to MD Anderson yesterday to take lunch to a friend's family while she was in surgery. Gosh that place is huge. Many of you have spent a lot of time there I know... It is a little intimidating and overwhelming...but after I finally found a parking place and walked through the side entrance...there were helpers at various stations all around to show me how to give me directions....Everyone from staff to volunteers to security people..and they were smiling... and so gracious. At one point I had made it to an upstairs waiting area and when it was explained to me that my friend was in a complete other building....she started giving me directions...and I am dyslexic and not to good at mental processing...so I said kinda of laughingly...I am not so sure I am going to find this....and she gently said yes you will...just start with one little turn at a time...and watch for the signs. She pointed to my first advance...and I was off..
I had to walk (and it was a long walk) from one building to another and they even had shuttles to transport folks from one end to another...it is an amazing place... aquariums, fountains, bubbly water walls...and each person who directed me made the place feel more like busy building than a hospital. And their warmth and hospitality generated a sense of people really caring about patients and their visitors.
But back to the "big" part. We are so often overwhelmed by and intimidated by events and happenings in our life that are "Big". We tend to look at the "big" picture and sometimes freeze because it is such a daunting challenge to negotiate...but we have the choice as to how we approach whatever it is before us...do we walk into it with a calmness and a faith that there will be helpers...and there will be signs that will guide us or do we freeze and hesitate to take the next step because when we look around we think it is way too BIG for us to figure out.
Years ago when I first started writing devotionals I wrote a devotional about seemingly dark clouds...which ended up being a bunch of dark birds all flying in a tightly clustered group which made the cloud look huge. As the birds flew...they began to separate one at a time...and the cloud gave way and the
"Son" was able to shine through.
Same thing with BIG obstacles...it is best to not get stuck focusing on the whole situation rather..just one little piece of it at a time.. One turn...one step...one advance..and then proceed on to the next one. It is when we look at the whole picture that sometimes overwhelms us.Sure we need an initial plan...but then we have to go at the plan tackling one piece at a time....and trusting God and His timing to steer us in the right direction. If we focus on God and not on the situation...then we will be better able to navigate through it...Nothing is overwhelming to God.
The greatest truth of all...is that when we are at the door of that huge development in our life....God is our helper at every turn. He knows the layout..he knows how to direct us on our journey. But we must ask....for His help and try to listen to his directions ...and when we get to the next floor....or the next layer...ask again...and listen again. God is there to warm our hearts, comfort us and to give us peace and security and graciously lead us through the obstacles that are before us....but we have to trust that God knows what he is doing and follow his directions.
The people who enter the doors of MD Anderson...are there for a reason...either they are patients, staff or support. When we enter the doors of a tough situation we are either the affected ones or the supportive ones. But all of us will have an opportunity to be on one side or another. And no matter where we land we all need the help to carry on...and the greatest helper of all is God.
If something in your life is overwhelming today...be willing to walk through the door of God's grace....let God help to break down the passage into steps..one step at a time. He not only will guide you to his peace but he will give you strength and courage to face the hard stuff...knowing that you are never alone and you have the greatest support of all standing with you and beside you every step of your way.
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
God sees our lives, and approaches His purposes though our lives in a very different way than we can imagine. We just have to trust that His way is ultimately for His glory...and in His time.
Dear Lord, Help us to not be overwhelmed when we see the "big" things in life come our way. Help us to approach each turn with confidence knowing that you are leading the way. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation
He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
