The Big Picture in Detail

When you look at a tree, what do you see?  Is it the texture of the bark that catches your eye? Maybe you look at the shape of the leaves.  Sometimes it is the ants crawling over the roots that grap your attention.  If you are like me, you wouldn't see any of these things at first glance.  You would see the tree as a whole organism in relation to its surroundings. I look at things holistically.  But sometimes I miss the trees because I am looking at the forest.  God is helping me to see the trees a little more every day. 

One of the privileges I've had while here in Costa Rica is attending local worship services.  What I saw was quite different than the kind of church I have grown up in at home.  During the service all ages were singing, dancing and taking turns playing percussive instruments.  Everyone was part of the service.  I was even asked to share my testimony and something else with the congregation.  So I sang the only song I knew in Spanish. It shares how Jesus is our Rock, King and Savior.  What a meaningful opportunity.  

One of the services was part of a denominational conference.  I participated with a youth choir in leading a song during worship.  I was the only blode haired blue eyed one present, but I didn't mind.  All of God's children are the same. We know that we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).  People from at least 5 different countries were present and we were all worshipping the Lord together.  Here I was experiencing the details of what the big picture will be like in heaven.  

In Revelation 7:9-12 we read 

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

  (NIV) 

We cannot have this big picture at the end unless the details are present.  I was only witnessing 5 nations and maybe the same number of languages.  Can you imagine what it will be like on that day in heaven when all the details join together?  

The big picture is meaningfull but how much more meaningful is it when you know the value behind every detail?  It is our responsibility as disciples of Jesus Christ add the details.  If the big picture includes people from every nation, tribe and language those are the details to gather.  Jesus has all the authority and we have been given the task of bringing the details together.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20) - NIV