Life often feels like a tension between what is happening right now, and the greater purpose God has prepared for us. We live in the now picture, our daily struggles, decisions, and responsibilities. Yet, as believers, we are called to embrace the big picture; God’s eternal plan and the ultimate perspective that brings wisdom, peace, and direction.
It’s important to pause and reflect: Are we living only for the moment, or do we see life through the lens of eternity? Scripture constantly encourages us to hold both the immediate and the eternal in balance. As Paul reminds us:
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
(2 Corinthians 4:17–18, NIV)
The Big Picture: Living with Eternity in View
1. God’s Perspective Goes Beyond Ours
When we talk about the big picture, we’re speaking about God’s overarching plan. Human wisdom is limited to what we can see and experience, but divine wisdom stretches beyond time. Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
This verse is a call to humility. The big picture may not always make sense to us in the present. Think of Joseph in Genesis 37–50: betrayed by his brothers, enslaved in Egypt, and imprisoned unjustly. His now picture was filled with pain and disappointment. But God’s big picture revealed a story of redemption, where Joseph rose to save his family and an entire nation during famine.
The lesson is clear: God’s perspective is greater than our present understanding. Holding on to this truth strengthens our faith when life’s “now” moments feel unfair.
2. The Eternal Lens Shapes Daily Living
Living with the big picture in mind isn’t about ignoring present responsibilities. It’s about allowing eternity to shape the way we respond to today’s circumstances. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
This verse doesn’t dismiss the reality of our needs but teaches us to prioritise the eternal kingdom. When we keep eternity in focus, decisions about career, relationships, and even finances take on a different meaning. They are no longer just about survival or personal gain but about aligning with God’s purposes.
The Now Picture: Wisdom for Today’s Steps
1. Faithfulness in Small Things
While the big picture lifts our eyes to eternity, the now picture reminds us of today’s responsibilities. Jesus taught in Luke 16:10:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
The now picture is where our obedience and faithfulness are tested. A parent raising children, a student staying diligent in studies, an employee working with integrity, these may seem small or routine, but they matter deeply. Each step in the now picture prepares us for greater responsibilities in the big picture.
Think of David, who was anointed to be king but spent years tending sheep and serving Saul before stepping into the throne. His faithfulness in the now, killing lions and bears, playing the harp, carrying food to his brothers, was shaping his character for the big picture of leading Israel.
2. Finding God’s Hand in the Present
The now picture isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it looks like unanswered prayers, waiting seasons, or daily struggles. Yet, wisdom teaches us that God is just as present in the ordinary as He is in the extraordinary.
Romans 8:28 assures us:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
This doesn’t mean every now moment will feel good, but it does mean God is weaving them into a greater story. Recognising God’s hand in the present keeps us from despair and fills us with hope.
Take the Israelites in the wilderness: their now picture was hunger, thirst, and uncertainty. But God’s daily provision of manna and water from the rock reminded them that He was faithful even in the waiting.
Conclusion
Wisdom calls us to hold the tension between these two perspectives. If we focus only on the big picture, we may neglect the practical responsibilities of today. If we focus only on the now picture, we risk losing sight of the eternal hope that strengthens us.
Spiritual wisdom is learning to live faithfully in the now picture while holding fast to the big picture of eternity. Both perspectives are essential: the now shapes our character, and the big picture gives us hope and direction.
So, what does this mean for us today? It means showing up for the responsibilities God has placed in front of us, whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, while keeping our hearts set on eternity. It means trusting that even when today feels uncertain, God’s big picture is unfolding in ways we cannot yet see.
May we be people who walk with wisdom, anchored in the big picture, and faithful in the now picture.