This familiar story has a great message, and a thought-provoking principle that we can apply to our own lives.
One day, a professor entered the classroom and asked his students to prepare for a timed, 20-minute, surprise test. The students waited apprehensively at their desks for the exam to begin.
The professor handed out the exams face-down, as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn their papers over.
To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions – just a black dot in the center of the sheet of paper. The professor, seeing the expressions on all their faces said, “I want you to write about what you see, and what are thoughts or feelings? You may begin.”
The confused students stared at a black dot on a white sheet of paper for a few minutes, and then started on the inexplicable task.
At the end of the time, the professor collected the exams and read each one aloud in front of the students.
After all had been read, the professor explained, “No grade on this test. I just wanted to give you something to think about. Not one person wrote about the white paper. Everyone focused on the black dot. The same thing happens in our lives.”
“We all have a white piece of paper to observe and enjoy, but we always focus on a black dot. Why do we do that, when God gives each one of us the gift of life, which for the most part, we can choose to do with whatever we want? Therefore, we always have reason to celebrate. We have friends, family, a job, school, dreams for a future, and miracles, recognized or not, along the way.”
“But, we insist on focusing only on a black dot – health issues, lack of money, a complicated family relationship, disappointment or disagreements with a friend or co-worker. Dark spots are very small when compared to everything good we have in our lives.” “But,” the professor continued, “they’re the ones that pollute our minds and cloud our vision.”
Message ~
Don’t focus on a black dot and ignore the white sheet of paper. In other words, don’t focus on your troubles and ignore the blessings.
Principle ~:
Squinting at a black dot narrows your vision to the good around you.
Verses ~
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) God concentrates on the white sheet of paper.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Notice this verse says to give thanks in all circumstances; not for all circumstances.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) That means that God is working for our good, and that includes the black dots.