Connecting the Dots

January 24, 2021 by  
Filed under Humor, Stories

By Dawn Wilson –

Sometimes it’s hard for me to connect the dots of my life in the moment. One example of this disconnect occurred a few years ago while traveling in Paris with my husband, Bob, his sister, Jan, and her husband, Tom.

After several days of taking in many of the lovely sites around the city, we decided to visit the Eiffel Tower. There, near the top of the tower, I pointed out some of the places we’d visited days before: The Louvre museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées.

But then I got frustrated. I moved along the railing slowly, all around the inner platform of the tower. I looked near and far, and started pointing and naming the sites again. “There’s the Louvre,” I said to my brother-in-law, “and there’s the Arc, and there’s the Cathedral … but where’s the Eiffel Tower?”

Tom’s mouth dropped open. “Dawnie,” he said with a chuckle, “You’re on it!”

As everyone around me burst into laughter, including a Frenchman who exclaimed, “Oh, you silly American!” I blushed to the bone! It was one of those “duh” moments when I didn’t connect the dots.

I find that this is sometimes true in my spiritual journey with God. I get so focused on looking around at the circumstances in life, or the culture or my own ambitions, and I lose sight of where and whose I am. I forget that I am secure in the family of God, with my identity and purpose firmly in Christ.

God spoke to me about this through Colossians 3:2. In The Message, this scripture reads, “Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” In other words, look to Jesus, and He will help you connect the dots!

If our vision is not God-ward, our perspective may be skewed. In practical terms, our financial needs truly aren’t about the money; they are about whether we will look to our heavenly Provider. Our marital struggles aren’t about our spouse’s inadequacies or hang-ups; they’re about living biblically and learning to love, respect, and serve our spouse.

God desires that we will seek His perspective and then, gaining wisdom, trust Him for the outcome. Though we may not fully comprehend His will or the purposes in each situation—His thoughts and ways are beyond us (Isaiah 58:8)—we know that He will use our circumstances to conform us to the image of Christ so that we can ultimately bring honor to His name.

The simple truth is, connecting the dots of life begins when we connect with our Heavenly Father in prayer and in the Word, asking Him to open our hearts and minds and show us His will and ways.

About Dawn Wilson

Dawn Wilson (www.heartchoicesministries.com; www.heartchoicestoday.blogspot; www.LOLwithGod.com)—co-author of LOL with God: Devotional Messages of Hope and Humor for Women—writes for Christian Examiner and two national ministries. She equips women to make godly choices, and encourages evangelical women in leadership. She delights in God, her husband Bob, three granddaughters, and a pup named Roscoe.
  • Advertisement

Comments

8 Responses to “Connecting the Dots”
  1. Elaine says:

    I have done things like that. I walk around the house looking for my cell phone and it is right in my pocket. Love the way you tied it all together. Colossians is a great reminder. Thanks!

  2. Dawn Wilson says:

    PS, Elaine. I tried to comment on your blog… the cupcake post (I’m a chocoholic of sorts) … but I could not get the comment section to open.

  3. Dawn Wilson says:

    LOL Elaine … or forgetting where I put my sunglasses, and finding them on the top of my head! Thanks for your kind words.

  4. Rose Ann Rueter says:

    I have had so many “”duh” moments and totally relate to your story! (Even with memories of our trip to Paris in 2006!) I love the way God spoke through you in sharing His plan for “connecting the dots” in our lives. Circumstances are often tough and, seemingly, insurmountable. Praise God, that He uses these situations “to conform us to the image of Christ so that we can ultimately bring honor to His name.”

    Thanks, Dawn, for once again bringing glory to God with the wisdom-laced words you write!

  5. Dianne says:

    Nice one, Dawn.

  6. Dawn Wilson says:

    Thank you, Dianne. Sometimes the most effective posts are when we are transparent … or at least honest about our humiliating circumstances! :o)

  7. Dawn Wilson says:

    Thank you for your kind words, Rose Ann. I hope that we all will be so in tune with God and His Word that we can more readily connect the dots of His purposes for our lives.

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!


Prove You\'re Human: *