More Than a Toy

Did you ever imagined the adventurous thrill of going to some amazing place and seeing unbelievably, unforgettable sights; but maybe you’ve never had the opportunity? Everyday life as a child could get rather “boring”  if you know what I mean - except for the adventures made possible by this cute, little red toy. It brought the impossible into reality!

Oh, the places we could go and the things we could see when we put our little eyes up to the viewing lenses. 

Let’s go back to days gone by, back to our innocent childhood, where we tuned our little, inquisitive eyes to more than what we could see in the here and now. I haven’t thought of this little toy in many years; but one day last week, I thought of how awesome it would be if we could all get our eyes off of the current situations that might be baffling us.

All we currently see if we’re on the world-level view is politics, Covid-19 pandemic, masks, hand-sanitizer, unemployment, struggling businesses, sickness and rising death numbers, just to name a few top topics. Oh, and don’t forget the toilet paper! Or the lack thereof. 

There’s so much more going on though! How do I know this? Simply because no matter what it looks like from the outside, I know Who is in control and Whose hand is working on the inside. I’m afraid sometimes we forget to see what is going on behind the scenes. I’ll be the first to admit it, I forget too. 

Sometimes my grand-boy will sigh and whine a bit in his most-pitiful, 5-year-old voice, “Noni, I’m bored!” In actuality, he’s just tired of the sameness and needs a change. Aren’t we just like that? Sometimes we just get weighted down and just need a change; we need to see what’s really happening in God’s realm for us. How many times have you muttered, “I just need to get away! I need a change of pace.”

You pick something from your own life which has you frazzled right now. Anything. It’s ok, we all have them. Seems quite reasonable to lose your eagerness about life and your expectation of what God is capable of, doesn’t it...but who actually desires to stay here?

Alert: Don’t forget the good news that’s there! Look for it. 

No, I didn’t say it was always easy to do this. When we look into the lenses of the little, red toy, we always have to be sure it’s aimed toward a light source so we can see plainly and clearly what we’re intended to see.

We know God promises to be there for us, He promises to hear our desperate pleas, He promises to help us know He can do anything. We just have to focus in with a little more intention on some days. Maybe there are even days we might be embarrassed to talk about. Still, God is always busy doing stuff we can’t even imagine! 

We’re not two-year-olds any more so I’m more than happy to share my toy and the pictures of possibility inside. Want to take a turn? 

Exodus 14:14, God will fight for you, just stand still and keep watching.  

Isaiah 40:29, God gives you strength when you’re weak, and makes you even stronger. What hope!

Isaiah 43:2, when you go through difficult times which seem hopeless, He won’t let it overtake you. Keep looking ahead!

James 1:5, if you need wisdom to make a decision, ask, and He will help you see the right way. 

Deuteronomy 31:8, God goes into every situation ahead of you and you’ll never be alone. He’s always there, just put your eyes to the lenses and see. 

Philippians 4:13, He’ll meet all your needs. In fact, He knows what you need before you ask. Don’t fret, just sit back and watch Him work it out. 

There are so many, many promises. Maybe we need an adult version of this old, childhood favorite. A grown-up Promise View Finder. 

Guess what, we have one. 

The Bible. 

God has given us everything we will ever need in Himself, and there are many inspiring examples for us in His Word. Can we share that with each other? Because, remember, we all get a little goofy and frazzled by life’s blows and need to be reminded sometimes. Let’s not be stingy! Let’s share with a friend who is hurting and may be sinking a little bit lower than usual today; share with the stranger walking toward you in the grocery aisle with her head hanging low or tears in her eyes. 

Or maybe today it’s you! If so, be encouraged today, my friend. God is able, willing, and maybe just waiting on you to pick your head up and focus intently on the view beyond the present reality. Grab your View Finder - it’s so much more than a toy. Let’s enjoy the view together! 

Be blessed today and a blessing to someone who is hurting. We’re all in this together. Pass it on!

Lord, sometimes I forget Who you are and what You are capable of doing. If you can create the world, part the seas so Your children can cross on dry ground, if You can have a master plan for our redemption, there isn’t anything you can’t do. Help me to view life from that lens, from that view. I give my situation to You today and believe you can and will work it out just the way You believe is best for me. Amen~