When a supervolcano erupts—and thankfully that’s extremely rare—it leaves behind a massive basin known as a caldera. But they are so huge we tend to overlook them completely. As geophysicist Bob Smith described the 45-mile wide Yellowstone caldera, “The size is so immense that people don’t appreciate it.”
Simply put, from our earth-bound perspective we can’t see the Yellowstone caldera. If it weren’t for the huge gap in the Rocky Mountains, it’s unlikely that anyone would have noticed it at all.
Like a mountain range split by a caldera, history contains an immense divide. Yet most people look right past it. In less than 4 decades, Jesus Christ so changed the world that our calendar divides around it: BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, or in the Year of our Lord).
The apostle Paul told us why the world misses the point of history’s central figure. “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News” (2 Corinthians 4:4). For this reason, Paul was driven by the Spirit to tell others about Christ (2 Corinthians 4:13).
People blinded to the truth of Jesus Christ can come to see the reality of His love as reflected in our lives. That doesn’t mean we’ll live perfect religious lives; it means we’ll have a refreshing transparency that shows we’re loved and forgiven by our Father. “We now have this light shining in our hearts,” Paul explained. “This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Jesus didn’t leave a caldera between His Father and us; He bridged the chasm. How we live our lives before others can help them see Him for the first time.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 7:30-60
More:
Where is Paul’s focus in 2 Corinthians 4:14-18? What obstacle did he seem to be encountering? (see 2 Corinthians 4:16).
Next:
How have you been missing the immensity of Jesus’ life even though you believe in Him? How might you need to change your focus today?
gary1schelvan on October 17, 2014 at 1:42 am
Thank you Brother Tim,
Your posting was very thought provoking and so important, timely too. It is especially critical in this day and age I believe, to have our lives be a living, walking, breathing testimony as to the love and light of Jesus Christ in our lives. Our actions before other people can greatly affect the way that they think of Christians, which in turn can affect any inclinations they may be entertaining about turning their lives over to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to run their life..It doesn’t take a lot of effort either to have our actions/behaviors reflect the goodness and love of Christ in our own lives. A simple act of kindness will go a very long way in showing Christ’s love, a smile, pleasant hello, hold a door open, carry something heavy for someone,a kind pleasant word or note. Even if they refuse your offer, the very act of offering to help/encourage is so uplifting to another person. So practice random acts of kindness, they do make a difference. Amen……Brothers and Sisters
tgustafs on October 17, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Thanks for the great reminder, Gary! And isn’t it amazing how God loves to use the little things to make such a difference?!
Winn Collier on November 1, 2014 at 9:25 pm
So big we don’t see it … now that’s something