Every
year my family watches the classic Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. We always watched the black and white
version until this year. I liked the black and white version. It gave
authenticity to the time period, the mid 1940’s.
This
year as we watched the latest color version, we were amazed at the details we
could see because of the realistic coloring. In the black and white version everything was a shade of gray, and objects ran together.
In
the colorized version the details jumped out. When Mary lost her bathrobe and
had to hide in the hydrangea bushes, I never noticed the flowers before.
Instead of gray leaves and gray flowers, there was vibrant distinction between
the two. My husband said he never noticed Mary sticking her hand out
of the plant before, asking for her robe. I didn't notice the knickers the
boys wore before. In the black and white version their pants and socks all
blended together in the bland grayness.
It
was like we were watching a new movie. Our teenage boys
seemed more drawn in with the color as well.
I started wondering how often I go through
life looking at the grayness instead of the colors. Some events I view as
the same old thing. They have become rote and I don’t have to think about them.
Is
that how I go to the grocery store? Am I on autopilot and so focused on the
task, that I see the people and products in black and white.
While
driving to work, do I see the streets, cars and people in gray?
At
the gym? Walking the dogs? Christmas shopping?
I
miss so much around me when I am looking at the world as if it is all gray.
Years
ago I remember sitting at lunch with a group of women. The leader of our bible
study fellowship class was eating with us and we were talking about prayer. One
of the ladies asked if she should be praying about the small, insignificant
things in her life, or just the major decisions. Another lady chimed in and
said she always prayed about the little things, especially when she was looking
for a parking spot. She prayed that God would provide her with a close parking
spot. The rest of the group was silent, indicating to me they thought she was
silly to pray for a parking spot. I remember the wise leader’s response, she
said,
“The more we
pray and then look for God’s response, the more we will see Him. If we only pray about the big decisions, then we are only looking for
God to answer those prayers. If we pray about everything, and then look for God
in all the details, whether He provides a great parking spot or not, we will
see Him more often.”
I
want to see God at work all the time. The Bible says He cares about the details
of our lives, but do I notice Him everyday? I want to see God in color in my world, not in the grayness
of black and white. I want to wake up, live life alert to all the colorful ways
God works in me, in others and in situations. Don’t you?
Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10
Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10
I’m looking forward to seeing the New Year
in full color. How about you?
Your post is exactly why I chose WONDER as my oneword for 2015! I want to see everything in living color!!! Good, thought-provoking post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan! Wonder is a great word for the new year. I am still praying about my word for the year.
DeleteI think that I've been seeing some aspects of my life in black and white and various shades of mind-numbing gray long enough. This was challenging for me. I'm going to have a good long talk about those dull areas of my life with our gracious God tonight. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Wendy! I agree with you about seeing in black and white for too long myself. Color is so much better. Blessings to you!
DeleteLove this idea! I want a colorized version of my life this year!
ReplyDeleteOh me too! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSuch a great analogy! We don't see what we aren't looking for, and we often don't realize we are missing out.
ReplyDeleteThat was my thought Jen! I don't want to miss seeing God, or seeing what He has for me anytime. Thanks for your comments!
DeleteI love that movie, I didn't realize there was a color version. :) I love your analogy.. I am focusing on the word Strength this year in hope that I will be more dependent on Him and His strength in every area of my life, even the little areas that I don't feel like I need His help.. I want to involve Him in everything. O, and I also have prayed for a parking spot numerous times..LOL
ReplyDeleteYou will have to watch the color version then. It was really like watching a different movie! We loved it. Strength is a great word for the year. Where we are weak, He is strong. Blessings to you Tobi! And I bet you get some good parking spots too. :)
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