Thought for Saturday, November 17th

November 17, 2012

The Perspective Effect

“The problem is not the problem.  The problem is your attitude about the problem.”

-       Captain Jack Sparrow

   So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen: For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

It may not be the view, from where we sit, that is askew, but rather the point of view! There are times when our take on life and the assessment of I’s current conditions are more a matter of our perceptions, rather than a concrete representation of the reality.

Our point of view can often be influenced by our prejudices, predispositions, emotions and even our experiences.  Sometimes what we perceive to be reality is often more about us and what we think and feel, than it is about what is truly happening.

That is why as Christians we need a God perspective, as apposed to a more narrowly focused me perspective.  We need to be willing to open our hearts and minds to seeing things from God’s point of view rather then from our own.  We need to see things more in light of their eternal perspective and their Kingdom significance; rather than from an immediate impact or implication point of view.

I often wonder if the reality I see is not often far amiss from what God sees.

David was brave enough to ask God to search Him to reveal the flaws, weaknesses, errors of heart and mind: are we willing to be equally as brave?

Are we willing to do as scripture advises and esteem others to be more important than ourselves by allowing God to reveal His viewpoint to us?  We often do not fully comprehend another’s reactions, attitudes and behaviors; because we do not understand where they have been and where they are coming from.

The truth is we will never live in a perfect world until Christ returns to take us home: but if we could learn to see our current world from a little more God-like perspective; we might be able to make some strides towards improving the quality of the reality in which we live, or at least in the way we see it.

Today’s Prayer

Father, open my eyes both physically and spiritually to see needs rather than offenses, ways to help, rather than ways to hurt; and opportunities to share your love where ever and when ever it is needed.

“There is a candle in every soul

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold

There is a Spirit, who brings a fire

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Frustrated brother see how he’s tired to

light his own candle some other way.

See now your sister she’s been robbed and lied to

Still holds a candle without a flame.

So carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn.

Hold out your candle for all to see it,

Take your candle, go light your world.“

-  Lyrics from ‘Go Light Your World’ by Chris Rice