The Full Picture

by Nick Van de Hey, second year rider

At first glance, this looks like a nice picture in Rome. But when I first saw this picture, I mean really looked at it, I immediately wanted to delete it. Did you notice? If you didn’t, take a look at the people around me, then you will see it. Do you see the woman on my right?

The first time I saw this picture I felt uncomfortable, guilty, even sad. Here I am touring, smiling, eating gelato (obviously), and having a great time. Yet, that’s not everyone’s story. So often we get so caught up in our own lives, in the camera, in our own image, that we forget we are not the only ones in the picture. Maybe we even see some of the picture, but we choose not to act. I think we can all agree that an end to homelessness and hunger would be awesome, but do our actions follow that belief or do we make judgments? Do we justify our inaction with excuses?

I think we have all made the argument that we don’t have the time or the money. Maybe when it comes to homelessness we have thought of them as lazy or labeled them as addicts. Maybe we see a pregnant teen and judge her decisions. Maybe we see a student failing classes and make judgments without any idea what their home life is like. In so many situations we find ourselves walking by and doing nothing. We focus the camera on our pretty picture and that’s it. But what if we didn’t?

When Jesus feeds the five thousand in Matthew 14, it says “his heart was moved.” The story takes place out in the boonies and if you look at the context, you see why—Jesus has just learned of the death of John the Baptist. You can only imagine the flood of emotions running through his head. Certainly he was sad, frustrated, maybe even angry. It’s really not a surprise at all that he would want some time alone. I know I would want to get away from the crowds of people. But here’s where the story differs from ours. When Jesus sees the crowds, “his heart was moved.” He doesn’t look the other way, he doesn’t make excuses (even though the death of John the Baptist would probably have been a great one), and he sees the full picture. I know I am definitely more like the disciples who right away want to send the people home because it’s late. Even the disciples use our favorite excuse of time. But not Jesus. His heart is not only moved, but he also acts. He sees the full picture. He provides for them and does his Jesus thing, multiplying the loaves and the fish.

Wow. What if we did that? What if our hearts were also moved and we saw people the way that Jesus does? What if we not only talked about today’s issues but did something to change them? What if we judged less and loved more?

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You can’t possibly give money to every good charitable organization just like I can’t give money to everyone I see on the street. Excuses, remember? But seeing the full picture doesn’t just mean opening our wallets. Maybe instead of getting annoyed, we say hello and smile. Maybe we introduce ourselves and ask for their name. Maybe we ask if we can pray for them, and actually do it when we say we will.

I don’t know about you, but I want my heart to be moved. I want to see the opportunities to serve people like Jesus did both when it’s obvious, and when it’s not. Each and everyday we have so many opportunities to impact others. We have so many opportunities to share the gospel, but if we are stuck inside our own photo, we miss so much.

So that’s my challenge for you. Pray that your heart will be moved, and look outside your own picture. You better get ready though. When your heart is moved, and I guarantee it will be, you are going to see the opportunities. Your perspective will change and the way you see your picture will never be the same.

For me, my heart was moved when I first heard about Biking For Babies. When I first walked into a pregnancy resource center, my picture changed. I saw a world of opportunity that I had looked right past. I saw women that were confused, hurting, and scared, but I also saw people willing to meet them in their darkness. I saw love, joy, and beauty in a whole new way. I saw the potential to change the world, to battle the culture of death, and to build a culture of life and love.

Remember though, Jesus didn’t just allow his heart to be moved. He responded. He acted. He put himself aside, and put others first. Yes, it takes courage, time, and sometimes even suffering, but I guarantee you it’s worth it. You will experience grace in a whole new way. Everytime we allow our hearts to be moved and act on it, we take one step closer to becoming like Jesus. We take one more step toward holiness. We take one step closer towards being the worldchanger God calls us to be.

Do you feel moved to join the Biking for Babies mission? Do you feel moved to judge less? Maybe forgive more? Do you feel moved to have the difficult conversation you have been avoiding? Maybe sacrifice some of your own time and volunteer more? There are so many ways God might invite you; you just have to be willing to let him. Pray first. Watch your picture change. Then buckle up and be courageous—go and act.

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity

for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like a

sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,

“the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few

Matthew 9: 35-37

Learn why Nick joined Biking for Babies, and support his mission to fundraise for pregnancy resource centers!