the big picture
April 8, 2007
I became exasperated recently while reading reviews on Amazon.com of the book Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More by Mark Buchanan. A reviewer reported the author erred in stating Peter cut off the ear of a soldier in the Garden of Gethsemane “when everybody knows” it was not a soldier, but a servant of the high priest. He concluded he could never trust the author’s work because of such a blatant error. This, as opposed to seeing the incident within the entire body of the author’s work.
But this is me. If I were reviewing an untried author – one new to me – I might be concerned or a little more cautious in my reading of his work until he proved himself a qualified teacher. Yet I am also fearful I will inadvertently author something erroneous. And how can I not? I’m only human. Only partially trained in truth. Only capable of finite understanding of an infinite God and his ways.
Studying in context used to be my mantra, and that of the religious groups in which I participated. I still demand the big picture when someone is explaining something to me. Yet I take isolated incidents and actions/non-actions and formulate harsh observations and construct rigid principles rather than placing each within the context of all I know of God’s character and purpose. Sometimes I fail to make determinations and decisions based on that bigger picture.
For example, I was recently listening to a friend play the pop ballad, I Can’t Make You Love Me, on the piano. One phrase in the song rang false to me: “You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t.” I felt it misrepresented possibility in a God-ordered world. I started recalling all the testimonies of estranged couples who had successfully asked God to restore their marriages and their shattered love for each other. Of course, the purpose of the song’s lyrics was not to speak the truth of possibility, but the truth of honest feelings – regardless of possibilities.
How do I extend and receive grace in this area of communicating thoughts, while not compromising truth? And can you please help me be consistent, across the board with seeing life holistically rather than drowning in minutiae?
Pam, I think this is such a good post. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple days. It makes me feel like I understand you a little better. I mean, I’ve always liked you but I really like understanding the way you think. It is a little foreign to me, to be quite honest. Maybe that’s why I only read fiction books. I don’t read to study, but to enjoy myself. Like watching a movie only it lasts longer. I like going to another time period in another place and understanding humanity from another perspective, while getting lost in the story.
I think you do enjoy yourself when you are studying though.
“…the truth of honest feelings, regardless of possibilities.” What a great conclusion! You are truly iron sharpening iron for me. I feel like I’m inside John Malkovich’s head when I read your posts. Only it’s inside yours… or… whatever.