Need a change of perspective?

A change of planes in LA, a stopover in Japan, and the tourist arrived in Singapore, like thousands before him. The flight was smooth, but the next part of the journey was a bit of a shock. "Marina Sands" the tourist requested. The taxi driver, accelerated into traffic, driving on a different side of the road behind a steering wheel positioned on a different side of the car. It seemed that drivers enjoyed honking horns incessantly and careening around corners. To the big visitor, jammed into a small back seat, the ride seemed chaotic and dangerous. A couple of times he felt he was going to die in a head-on collision.

To his relief, the wild ride brought him safely to the Marina Sands. Easing out of the cab on wobbly legs, he paid the driver and headed inside Singapore's world famous resort. He endured a long elevator ride before reaching the top and the observation deck high above the city. Dazzled by the expansive view from the deck, he paused to take in the view. He looked straight down to the city streets from which he had just come. To his amazement he saw order and design where, only a few minutes before, he had feared for his life. Dozens of yellow and blue taxis moved together, stopping at red lights and going at green ones. What once seemed very threatening now seemed very small and insignificant. He could hear no horns at all. It all looked so safe.

To travel to any destination is an adventure. We choose a final destination and appropriate modes of travel in order to reach it. Our goal may be east, but at times we may need to travel north, south, or even west to get there. Yet in the end we arrive someplace East of the starting point. There will always be changes, stopovers, and transitions. Immersed in the traffic jam of life you have one view. But looking down from above you have another. What seemed chaos a few moments before suddenly makes sense.

The same is also true of life. As Christians we are also on a journey. As the church we are on a mission. At times the journey may not make sense. But when we see things from God's perspective everything will fall into place.

The story of Job illustrates this point. Job lost his possessions, most of his family, and his health. Job's wife confronted him and said, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job strongly rebuked his wife, and affirmed his faith in God. Job was later blessed with twice as much as he had before. Our perspective is very much a reflection of how near we are to God. Job lost everything, but rather than complaining, cursing or losing his temper, Job bowed down and humbly worshiped God. To the apostle Paul, John Mark was a liability, a man who could not be counted on, and thus a man who should not be taken along on a missionary journey. To Barnabas, whose gift was encouragement, Mark was an opportunity and a challenge. Whatever happens in life, look at things from God's perspective and everything else will fall into place.

Isaiah 55:9
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Whether you are a youth or an adult, the various areas of your life are greatly affected by your perspective:

1. How you see yourself?
2. How you see your circumstances?
3. How you see God?
4. How you see the church?
5. How do you see the future?
6. How you see others?

How might your views change if you were to try seeing these areas from God's perspective?

~Ken