Perspective
This word is somewhat connected to the word perception. The word perception carries with it “an awareness, recognition, discernment, understand and emotion”. I might have a different perspective of the same event because of my perception. Perception and perspective are deeply personal and built upon my life’s journey. Some of the events of my life have shaped my perspective. Other events are barely a blip on my radar screen.
I wish I could describe the profound effect of my daily journey in the Word of God and the effect it’s had on my perspective. I can feel the very Presence of God all over my perspective as I keep seeking His Perspective.
Jeremiah and his scribe of sorts, Baruch are in a tough spot. They are with the poor people of their community who are left behind to take care of the city. The people don’t want to stay in the city under Babylonian rule, but the Lord had commanded them to stay. Jeremiah had a word for Baruch from the Lord. Check this out….
5 Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” (Jeremiah 44:5 NLT)
I believe my perspective changes for the better, when I see and serve the needs of others. It is so easy to be immersed inside my own life with its challenges and struggles. No matter what comes at me, I can find someone whose life is more desperate and painful than what I’m facing. There are times that I’m so stuck in the middle of me, myself and I that I can’t move or even see where to move. I believe that as a Christ follower, I’m called to serve others. Jesus came to seek serve and save others.
“In desperate times, much more than anything else, folks need perspective. For perspective brings calm. Calm leads to clear thinking. Clear thinking yields new ideas. And ideas produce the bloom…of an answer. Keep your head and your heart clear. Perspective can just as easily be lost as it can be found.” -Jones (“The Noticer”by Andy Andrews)
I need to keep checking on my perspective to make sure my motives are pure and simple. In serving others, I’m serving God. My perspective is way more healthy and whole when I’m putting others above myself.
Pressing On!
Dwayne