Day 33: Perspective

The concept of proper perspective is multifaceted:

• Realizing that the relative scale of all objects in our field of vision is based on their relative distance from us, an artist can represent 3D objects on a 2D canvas. It is foundational to how our visual cortex processes the world around us. This might be the most common use of the phrase “keep things in proper perspective.” We are being told to measure the significance of something by comparing it to similar surrounding things.

• But, there are other important colloquial uses of perspective. In a different facet of perspective, the high level perspective of upper management often leads to different apparent priorities from those of the low-level workers on the ground. While the workers are fixated on cutting through the underbrush immediately in front of them, those with the bird’s eye perspective can direct which way the company should navigate through the forest.

• Another aspect of perspective might be found in the police report documenting various witness accounts of an accident. Looking at an event from different points of view often inserts new information into the analysis. Especially when you consider the effect that emotion can have on any individual perspective.

In at least these three ways, having a different perspective can change the conclusions you draw and the actions you take. In each of these uses, having a different perspective isn't wrong, it's just different.

However, there is one perspective that is radically better than all others. God sees all (Job 28:24, Prov 15:3, Heb 4:13, Job 34:21, Psalms 33:13). Wouldn't it be nice to have God's perspective when making decisions?

The Bible gives us glimpses into eternity against which we can scale the significance of all present things (2 Cor 4:13-18). Hebrews 12:2 admonishes us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. This is the perspective within which we can properly scale all of our present trials and opportunities.

The Bible has also provided us God's bird’s eye view of His purpose and plan for our lives (Eph 3:10-12). In 2 Cor 5, Paul is speaking to all who are “new creations” in Christ. We who are in Christ need to live with the high level perspective which sees us as essential parts of God's plan.

2 Cor 5:18: And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. (NET)

The Bible also provides the testimony of many saints that have gone before us. They witness of the faithfulness of God and the rewards of following His direction in life (Heb 11:1-12:1). These historical accounts in the Bible give us diverse testimony across many cultures, times, and situations…that God is faithful to His plan and promises.

In what areas are you relying on a limited self-centered perspective in your day-to-day?

In what ways can you leverage the advantages of a God given perspective to make meaningful investments in eternity?

"We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these assumptions."

- Stephen Covey, 7-Habits of Highly Effective People

Faithful with Little