Christmas Perspective Matters
How many times have you heard someone say, “You can’t see the forest for the trees”?
It’s an oft-quoted saying intended to persuade someone to not let a situation grip them or blind them or captivate them (as an individual tree of life) in such a way that the bigger picture or better perspective is totally missed (the forest of life).
We all find ourselves missing the forest sometimes and losing our perspective on what matters, what’s best, and what’s ultimate. This can happen at Christmas.
Here are a few examples:
The tree of COVID-19 disruption can trigger fear, sickness, vaccines, mandates, job loss, hospitalizations, deaths, etc.
The forest of God’s great Physician will ultimately heal and resurrect all decaying bodies of believers (Philippians 3:21).
The tree of holiday expectations can compel gatherings, decorations, parties, unwise spending, gift-giving, etc.
The forest of God’s “indescribable gift” never stops giving us life, liberty, and great joy (2 Corinthians 9:15).
The tree of personal offense or hurt can strain and sever relationships.
The forest of God’s Prince of Peace will reconcile believers into His unbreakable and forever family (Ephesians 2:13-16).
The tree of partisan politics, sexual identity, and cultural corruption can and will bring chaos and destruction.
The forest of the reign of King Jesus will right all wrongs and rule over all (Revelation 22:5).
For every tree that demands your time and attention during Christmas, there is a greater forest that gives you an eternal perspective. These words are so “foresty” and deserve our attention. “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
The coming of our Lord and Savior keeps our eyes on the ultimate forest.
Pastor Jeff