There’s nothing quite like an obstructed view. It can be frustrating, annoying, and might even leave you feeling ripped off.
I remember going to a ballgame at old Tiger Stadium as a kid. It was my first time in an old ball park — one built amongst city blocks — not like the ones I was used to visiting on the “roomy” West Coast. I sat amazed, watching foul balls leave the stadium… And, thankful my seat wasn’t behind one of the many huge supports holding up the roof. I wondered how many folks craning to catch the action around the stanchions had noticed the fine print on their tickets — “OBSTRUCTED VIEW”.
The world tells us obstructed views are undesirable, bum deals, the cheap seats. Yet, from a Heavenly perspective, obstructed views here on this earth are both a blessing and beautiful.
As I’ve learned over the last few months, there is a real peace that comes from living one’s life without worrying about the future or the “big” picture. As the Bible says, “… for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34 (Read more on this topic in the previous photostory, Just Today.)
Just because a view is obstructed doesn’t mean what CAN be seen isn’t beautiful. The beauty, though different than gazing out over a vast vista, is IN the obstruction, the detail of the present, the works easily and regularly unnoticed. Often, we can also see the glow and feel the warmth of His light peaking through the cracks, maybe even helping to obscure (and protect us from) our future.
Maybe seeing the long view would scare us. Maybe we’re simply not ready for what WE want in the “now”. Maybe we’ve got a lesson to learn and seeing the future would distract us. Maybe we rely too much on our own understanding and don’t trust enough in His. Maybe God really does know us better than we know ourselves and wishes to grant us the desires of our hearts. Maybe He anxiously waits to surprise us with that special present He’s been holding on to, waiting for us to grow and for it to fit.
This week, I’ve been blown away by His blessings, awed by His leading, humbled by His gifts, secured in His timing, thankful for His mercies and content in my obstructed view. He has a plan, and when I pause to trust and thank Him, stop to appreciate the simpleness and detail in today, when I surrender the troubles of yesterdays and the worry of tomorrows, and just give it all to Jesus, the future comes when it’s time and His blessings are beyond imagination.
Thank you, Father, for being my shield, my protector… my guide and grantor of my heart’s desire… my Savior and Redeemer…
Thank you for no view, and Your light.