Early in our marriage, Jon and I were sitting in a couple’s seminar and the leader pulled out a dollar bill and held it up at eye level. He asked that the wife stand on one side of the bill and the husband stand on the other side of the bill. Each person was to describe something on the bill that they could “see”. The wife replied that she could see a pyramid. The husband quickly responded that there was no pyramid on his side of the bill. This was a simple exercise to illustrate that one of them had to walk around to view the other side of the bill to see what the other was seeing; to get the proper perspective and not spend time arguing about who was right and who was wrong.
Perspective is defined as: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
The word “Perspective” has been on my mind all week long.
With so many people, media, news agencies, and advertisements in our faces trying to get us to believe the message they are conveying, having the right perspective is vital for our spiritual and mental survival.
Steven Furtick, Pastor of Elevation Church, was quoted as saying
“your perspective will either become your prison or your passport”.
So what is the right perspective? How can we be confident that we are believing and trusting in the right message?
Mark 4:35-40
"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”"
"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”"
Talk about a difference in Perspective. The disciples crying out in fear because they were caught in a storm. Jesus peacefully sleeping on a cushion. The disciples had already see Jesus perform miracles, yet when faced with a storm, their faith waivered and all they could see were the waves that were threatening to take them under.
This year has been that kind of year. Covid-19, wild fires, dust storms, hurricanes, floods, the election…. The list could go on and on.
For believers this is a great opportunity to minister peace and perspective to those around us. While we don’t know the outcome, we certainly know who does. While we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we certainly should have the confidence that Paul wrote about in 1st Timothy 1:12 “But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.”
We find that the disciples had a change in perspective once the waves and wind calmed down. Verse 41 tell us that, “They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” This may have been an “AHA!” moment for some of them. The moment when they understood that you can’t always believe what you see with your eyes; especially when God factors into the equation.
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at Change!
Dr. Wayne Dyer
In these uncertain times, it is vital that we keep a proper perspective – God’s perspective – in the fore front of our minds.
To do this we need to stay in the Word. If we only give time and attention to news and social media, then we become like the disciples in the boat – focusing on the wind and the waves. Psalm 119:105 reminds us "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Another way to get God’s perspective is to pray. Philippians 4:6 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Finally, spend time with other believers (even if it’s only virtually). This is a great way to be encouraged and it reminds you that you are not in this battle alone. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1st Thessalonians 5:11
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