Perspective

Perspective

It’s all about perspective. It’s the height of rainy season here. It has rained every day for two months. The sun has only appeared occasionally. Looking out at the front yard, it is a muddy mess. Looking at the backyard, it is a beautiful green jungle flourishing because of the rain. It’s all about perspective.

Both are true pictures, both are real. Where will I put my focus?

 The world is a mess. Just listen to the news - there are hurricanes, acts of violence, political protests, moral divides. A big muddy mess. I could put my focus there. I can complain about the mud. I can point out who I think are the muddiest people. I can howl in protest when someone splashes me with the mud or when the dog shakes it all over me. I can even hide inside my house, trying to isolate myself from the mud.

 Or I could look around for the good. I could focus on the beautiful creation right in my back yard and pay attention to my neighbors who are also slogging through the mud. I could think about the volunteer efforts of those helping hurricane victims, about ministries to immigrants, about how God can use tragedy to draw people to himself. I can look for what God wants to do in spite of the mud and the pain and the sin.

It’s all about perspective.

But, it’s a daily choice. Lately, I’ve been restless and sometimes even bored  - an unusual attitude for me. My favorite part of the translation work is done. The rain is giving me cabin-fever. My to-do list has a number of vague, ambiguous projects on it. Maybe I should just use my unexpected free time to read books, watch movies and play games.

Or I could make a conscious effort to ask God where my focus should be, to look for opportunities to use this time well. What projects have I been sitting on because I haven’t had time? What neighbors have I neglected getting to know because I was too busy? What books are on my “should read” list? What acts of kindness could I do to reach out to others?

I know the right choice. Philippians 4:8 says “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.”

I want that perspective, but how do I get there? It’s got to begin with God and his Word. Hebrews 12: 1-2 reminds me, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

So, it’s time to get my eyes off the mud and onto the Creator! For today, I choose to refocus!