How we view life is called our perspective. It shapes our outlook, our decisions, and our actions. Whether we’re on the job, shopping, working in the yard, leading a Bible study, or watching a football game, our perspective interprets what we see and experience. Like a pair of glasses, our perspective can either distort or finely tune reality.
As a follower of Jesus, I want God’s perspective. Only God knows the beginning from the end and where this journey all leads. Only God knows the wonders of this world. Only God knows the heart and the motives of a man. He created us. He has a plan. He’s on a mission, and I want to see life through His eyes. I want to gain God’s perspective. How do I go about gaining the perspective of God as I navigate my way through life and all its pitfalls? As a man who truly enjoys God’s creation, I have “How-to” books, field guides, manuals, and other books that I use to refine my skills as a hunter, fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman.
I have that same type of resource in God’s Word. The great thing about the Word of God is that it’s not limited to a hobby or a passion that I want to pursue; instead it is applicable to every situation, every moment of my life. The Bible is my manual for learning and attempting to understand God’s perspective. It’s full of answers for all of those “how to,” “what if,” and “I’m not sure” moments.
God’s Word is His gift to us that we’re able to use to gain God’s perspective. Without His Word, without the truth it contains, we’ll never be able to live out our faith in a way that honors Him. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
If we hope to gain God’s perspective, we need to incorporate three critical strategies into our life:
- Hunger for His Word. We need to foster a desire to learn and know what the Bible says. We need to spend time in it, reading it and applying to our life. (Read Psalm 1:1–2)
- Communication with God. We need to deepen our relationship with God through prayer. We need to be willing to confess the easy stuff AND the hard stuff to Him. We need to ask for guidance and His help to see what He wants us to do.
- Accountability with other followers of Jesus. We need to surround ourselves with other men who desire to serve Christ with everything they have and mutually spur each other on to deepen our relationship with Christ.
I strive to be the best that I can be in God’s strength and for His glory. Will you join me?
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3–9
Personal Application
- To what extent do you think you possess God’s perspective on your life?
- Of the three strategies above, which one needs your attention most? What will you do?
Jim Grassi, D. Min. and Wendell Morton
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5