Devotional Day 1: The Perspective Problem
Scriptures
Isaiah 55:8-9
Ephesians 1:16-23
Have you ever noticed how two people can be looking at the same abstract painting but see something completely different based on where they are standing? Why is that? It's the same canvas, the same colors, the same brush strokes, but something is drastically different. That "thing" is perspective.
When we understand the power we carry through our perspective, we can begin to discover masterpieces in the middle of life's messiest situations. The greatest gifts are unlocked when we position ourselves properly to see them. Perspective truly changes everything.
Perspective is defined as "a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something" or fundamentally, "a point of view." We all have different points of view based on our geography, ontology, and anthropology. No two people are identical and people's place in life often determines their perspective on life. Truth is, God operates in a radically different space and from a spiritually different place than we do, so His Heavenly perspective is often in constant contrast with our earthly perspective. God Himself confirms this reality in Isaiah 55:8-9: " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.' "
Could it be that we and God are looking at the same place, the same person, and the same problem, but seeing it from two drastically different perspectives? What if how you're seeing on the canvas of your life is different than how the Creator sees it? What if God sees the strokes of pain you've experienced as strokes of purpose? What if God sees the opposition in your life as an opportunity to propel you into the future He has for you? What if the things you feel are setbacks are actually setups? What if the life you view as a mess is truly a masterpiece in the making?
I'd like to submit to you that the problem isn't the painting of your life, the problem is your perspective of it. Friend, please hear my heart, I am not negating the fact that we all have real pain, real trauma, and real struggles. However, I am convinced that our experienced reality, even in life's most tumultuous moments, can be significantly impacted through a paradigm shift in our perspective.
Over the next few days, we are going to explore 3 key areas where our perspective needs an alignment check. How we view God, how we view ourselves, and how we view our situations are all intrinsically connected and considerably impact how we interpret the colors that create the canvas of our lives. Let's explore the masterpiece that God has been designing for you all along!
Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and Your ways are higher than my ways. Thank You for this life that You've given me. Thank You that I have breath in my lungs to live another day. I pray that over these next few days, You will open my eyes to see You, to see me, and to see my situation from Your Heavenly perspective, rather than from my earthly perspective. Thank You for the GIFT of perspective. Help me to treasure and to steward it well. In Jesus' name, amen.
