Looking Through a Lens: A Microscope to a Telescope
- Ann Abbott
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Already we are into the 3rd month of the new year of 2026. Looking back, I realized that 2025 was busy in many ways, but not so much with posting my thoughts on this blog. I’m sure that most people look back and wonder ‘how did those months go by so fast!?’ So, in light of this being the first of my 2026 entries, let me wish you all a very “Happy New Year!” , “Happy Valentine’s Day!”, and coming up, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” Isn’t it so true and important to be intentional on how we choose to spend our days, as they do come and go by so quickly!?!
Last December, while visiting our daughter and her family, we attended their church. The pastor spoke on the topic of how we often view life, as if “through a microscope”. As we are at the front end of this year, and perhaps still deciding on the goals we desire to accomplish, tasks that need to be done, etc. we need to consider whether we are being true to GOD’S plan for our lives. The verse in Lamen. 3:40 reads “…let us test and examine our ways, Let us turn back to the Lord.” (NLT version) Do we see our present circumstances through a ‘microscope’, and analyze every small detail, or can we look ‘through the lens of a telescope’, in order to see a bigger picture? One that is part of the Lord’s plan and perspective, not our own small perspective? King David (considered a ‘man after God’s own heart’), was aware of this need and prayed, “ O Lord, You have searched me and known me…You understand my thought afar off… You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb…Search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me in that path of everlasting life. (Psalms 139: 1, 13, 23-24 NLT)
He knew God to be our Creator, the One who knows us better than we even know ourselves. But, King David also acknowledges Him as the Holy One, the Almighty…who knows so much more than we could ever comprehend. There is definitely a time and place to see ‘through a microscope’. We owe much to the scientists who have done just that, and we have learned so many things in the areas of medicine, biology, etc. There is also a time for us individually as well, to ‘examine ourselves’, and see if there be ‘anything hurtful thing’ that lies in our hearts. (Psalms 139:24; 2 Corin. 13:52; Lamentations 3:40; 1 Thess. 5:21) But, we don’t want to stay in that spot, the term ‘naval gazing’ refers to that situation of overly focusing on ourselves. That is why we need to also look through the ‘lens of the telescope’!
Who is this God, that knows all; sees all; understands all? This God, that even in His knowledge of ALL we are, still “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” His love and mercy is something we cannot really fully comprehend on this side of heaven, in our earthly existence. But, we do not need to fully understand it…we DO need to fully accept it! And graciously thank Him for it!!
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of His Son. Immanuel….”God with us”. That concept alone is something that we can continually be in awe about, and the more we love and seek Him, the more He will reveal Himself to us. For those who do seek and receive Him, the more that we will grow to appreciate spending eternity with Him, forever learning more and more of God and His love!
Going to a show in a planetarium is a fascinating experience…seeing the galaxies and stars, knowing that these all are held together in Him! ( Colossians 1:17) Let the Lord reveal to you what He wants you to know and understand through the lens of a ‘microscope’ of yourself, but then also open yourself to let Him open your ‘eyes of understanding’ to get a glimpse of who He is through the lens of a ‘telescope’. How great is our God!! May this year lead us into a deeper knowledge of and love for this mighty God and our Savior!
(Note: A special thank you to Pr. Jeremy Sells for his inspiring sermon 12.21.25 in Scott City First Baptist Church, as he taught on the “Magnificat” of Mary, mother of Jesus from Luke 1: 26-56. She ‘magnified’ the Lord,
and Pr. Sells used the illustration of the microscope vs. the telescope. It was the inspiration for this posting!) Those links are: pastorfbsc@gmail.com firstbaptistscottcity.org
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-magnify-god Also see: The sermon “Ministry Moments:The Ministry of Redirection” https://morningsidelutheran.com/media-resources/sermons, by Pr. Noah Ruppert