Perspective is all about the view. Each viewer has a different unique angle on a scene or situation. Police find this often while interviewing witnesses after they have seen an accident or a crime.
Of course, each of our perspectives are based not only on our eyesight but our history and background. We see things from the eyes of our hearts as well as the eyes in our heads.
Our God sees things from His perspective because He is all knowing and all perfect. God is the creator of the universe we live in as well as the creator of our very own selves all of which means His perspective is the correct one. So, I am wiser if I try to see what is around me using the eyes God has given me but looking through His lens.
This came to mind recently as I was following the news which I read on both secular and Christian websites to give me a clearer idea of what is going on in the world.
When I perused the secular news I noted the headlines of the protests being held at the various college campuses across our nation. Remembering, of course, that the goal of some secular news organizations is not primarily to present news but to earn money. More money is generated by higher viewer numbers and so logic follows that disconcerting headlines bring in more viewers. Money is what guides some secular news organizations’ perspectives on what events (big or small) to use for headlines.
I use CBN as my Christian news source – a nonprofit news organization. That website was streaming news about the protests but they also were reporting on the numerous revivals and baptisms that were taking place on campuses across the nation. They were praising God that many young adults were committing their lives and futures to Jesus. CBN’s perspective is viewing world events from God’s angle.
After looking at the news reporting from these two widely divergent perspectives, I am convinced more than ever that I must refocus my view every time that I read or see something emanating from a secular source. Books, movies, magazines, newspapers, etc. I need to rearrange the scene presented to me to see that scene through the eyes of my Father. After that I should take the action, if any, that the Holy Spirit directs for me. Maybe I am to pray but maybe I am to act. I will let God decide.
It truly is all about perspective, isn’t it? I need to look at this world with my eyes wide open, through the lens of God’s Words, and the knowledge of Jesus’ gift of His life for my salvation. God’s desire for mankind is clear, “(He) wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
It is wise for me to permanently keep God’s perspective in front of me as I read the news and interact daily with others. I should always be aware of current events but instead of fretting when I see the reports of the day it should inspire me to pray or act without letting the secular world’s hype skew my viewpoint or get in my way.
The one thing I am trying to do is not to let the world’s view creep in and taint me seeing things through God’s lens. As a Christian and follower of Jesus I am to do what Jesus did when He was on earth. He came and lived in the world as it was but He also proclaimed the Good News that He was here – God with Us. By His words and deeds Jesus showed us how to live as His Father desires for us to live. That is my challenge – to live my life honoring the Father and touching others’ lives to show them the way to the Truth.
I often think that it would be wonderful if I naturally had the patience and wisdom to act and react as Jesus did. That is actually the plan God has set out for all of us – to be like Jesus.
This world has wars, anger, hate, and prejudice but it also has God moving in magnificent ways. The cure to the negative actions of people is that they may find their faith in Jesus. God has put we Christians here for a reason and that is to honor Him by showing and telling others of the hope and saving grace of Jesus.
The good news is what Jesus is doing in this world – saving one soul at a time. This inspires me to be patient and ready to share the Good News of Jesus with anyone and everyone and to watch their perspectives begin to change.
ED. NOTE: Amy Patsch writes from Ocean City. Email her at writerGoodGod@gmail.com.
