Awesome Views

Something Larger than Ourselves

Looking at these images in real time brings us closer to a Creator who paints the sky for us with magnificent designs and colors! Reflecting on the greatness of our Creator, also makes us realize that our dreams and activities are really small compared to the vision our Creator has for us. God inspires us with colors and shapes. We can also see that God has a sense of humor when the cloud patterns we see looks familiar— like an alligator, or a famous person. It only lasts a moment before the atmospheric winds blow it away. But our attention is captured by these amazing impressions in order to draw us away from our focus on the pathway. We need to look up once in a while; we need to reach up for inspiration as we plod along our journey of life.

So what are the expectations that we would have of something larger than ourselves? Most of our focus as we move along the pathway of life is self-interest. What can I do to get there, what kind of resources do I need, who do I need to meet, where do I need to position myself? How can I make this pathway easier? We think about our purpose—mostly in relation to how to make a living, or how to create a meaningful relationship. 

So we focus on the type of classes to take in school, the type of people who might mentor us, and the type of businesses where we might receive a salary that will help us buy a house, a car, and so on. We attend singles groups or attend events and activities where people should be able to meet the one.  But that journey becomes empty really fast. There is that feeling of being on a mindless treadmill. Where is the meaning? Where is the sense of mission in this pathway? 

Another thing that happens when a person gets so focused on a path is that they begin to take things literally, rather than seeing that some of what they think they want is representative of qualities or values that are reflected in what they want. Two young women sit in a coffee shop complaining about their latest job and relationship misadventures. What they don’t realize is that they are focusing on the wrong things. They are trying to make literal plans, describe literal expectations. It might be better if they were looking for qualities. To find these, they need to be really digging into what their lives would look like if they were helping their Creator further His purpose rather than their own purposes. Proverbs 19:21 provides a glimpse of the trail to follow: Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

How to Live a Real Life

What we really need to focus on is how to live a real life. What does a real life look like? What does it feel like? And how do you know it when you have it? Fool’s Crow said, “You must be a hollow bone for God.” This saying has a clue as to where your pathway needs to be. How does one become a hollow bone? This means that all of the detritus of self-interest needs to be moved out of the bone. Resentment; anger, guilt, and fear also need to be moved aside and replaced with gratitude, forgiveness, and willingness to listen to what our Creator wants us to hear. You have talents given to you that need to be nurtured and developed to carry out the services and needs that the Creator has in mind.  If your plans get derailed or detoured, consider that this might be by design, and that maybe focusing on a higher level of purpose could bring a better answer.



Where ever you are on your path, you will see people and organizations that have needs; people and organizations who have been asking the Creator for help. Consider those places to see how you might be of service. When you put your talents into service for a Higher Cause, whether it is to design inventions that solve problems or provide leadership to people who want to make a difference, you will find a pathway that is rich with meaning, and that is inspired and shaped by God. Your willingness to trust the inspiration of your Creator will enable you to prosper in service to your fellow earth dwellers. That willingness will also bring you the skills, information and connections you need to have to do this work designated by the Creator.