The Bigger Picture
People interpret life from a natural perspective rather than a spiritual one. A natural view limits one from grasping the Bigger Picture when a significant event occurs. When Jesus entertained any dialogue with the religious leaders, they often failed to grasp spiritually what Jesus was trying to reveal. For example, Jesus healed a man with a 38-year-old infirmity on the Sabbath day at the pool of Bethesda. Afterward, his dialogue with the religious leaders revealed a linkage between the spiritual and natural realms, as recorded in John 5:17.
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Yet, they failed to grasp the Bigger Picture and only focused on rule-breaking on the Sabbath. Remember, this man's infirmity lasted for 38 years until the work of the Father in heaven aligned with Son's work on earth, resulting in his healing. Therefore, your work on earth must reflect your job description written in heaven. When the two of them align, a Kingdom outcome will emerge on earth. Yet, the dialogue with the Jewish religious leaders only allowed their focus on the Sabbath violation while evoking the concept that Jesus blasphemed by making himself equal with God. These accusations catapulted Jesus' death at their hands instead of linking the idea that each of them has a heavenly job description. Likewise, Stephen, the first martyred believer, provided a similar alignment with his earthly work. After he was appointed a deacon to serve the widows of Libertine Synagogue, Stephen exercised his faith with great power and miracles. Yet, his conviction came to fruition when nonbelieving Jews debated him in the Libertine Synagogue, which resulted in his death also.
Stephen's ministry was cut short. A believer of such power and faith could undoubtedly contribute more to the Kingdom as a living believer rather than as a dead one. However, from a Bigger Picture perspective, Stephen's martyrdom furthered the gospel beyond the city of Jerusalem. Also, it provided a lasting imprint on a future believer who will deliver the gospel to the Gentile and pen 13 books in the New Testament.
And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen's) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts 8:1 KJV
Stephen performed his heavenly job description on earth; unfortunately, his work led to his demise unexpectedly. Yet, the Scripture inferred that Jesus stood up in heaven by His Father to approve the aligning of Stephen's death for a greater purpose that benefited the Kingdom passionately. So, the next time an unfortunate or unexpected event occurs in your life, think about the Bigger Picture. If your work on earth aligns with heaven's work, your event will advance the Kingdom. To put it another way, are you fulfilling your heavenly job description to arouse Jesus' approval from heaven as Stephen did? Remember the words of the model prayer: Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10 NKJV) Suppose our actions on Earth reflect the will of God in heaven. In that case, we should accept the outcome of our circumstances and visualize the Bigger Picture knowing that our heavenly reward will surpass any perishable or nonperishable item on earth.