The Bigger Story

by Ronnie Hewitt
 
Ephesians 1:7-12 “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment–to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, ​in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”
 
Walk into any large mall, museum, amusement park, and you will typically find a large map with the famous red star and the encouraging words “You are Here.” The maps are used to offer visitors a way to orient themselves to their surroundings, to help them get a perspective of their situation. This is known as the “Big Picture.” This is where you are in the full scope of things.
 
John Eldredge in his Restoration book says, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could look at a map and see here’s how you got started? Oh, here is where it went wrong, and here is what will happen next. This is the role you’ve been given. If you want to fulfill your destiny, this is what you must do. These are your cues. And here is how things are going to turn out in the end.”
 
The truth is: We can know the bigger picture and see our place in it. We may not have perfect clarity, or every tiny detail that we would like, but we can have greater clarity than we have now. Paul in Eph 1:9 says that “God has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ.” The gracious scheme of salvation by faith, which depends on His own sovereign will alone, has been made known unto us. That which was barely understood through the old law, has been revealed in Jesus on the cross. You have been chosen, predestined to be His child, putting your hope in Christ, for the praise of His glory.
 
You want more clarity? You want a greater understanding of who you are? Get to know the Son, through whom it is all revealed.