The Power of Perspective
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
II Corinthians 4:17-18
The coed had two problems common to many college students: low grades and no money. She was forced to communicate both to her parents, whom she knew would have a problem understanding.
After considerable thought, she decided to use a creative approach to soften the blows of reality. Here’s what she wrote in her letter home:
Dear Mom and Dad,
“I have so much to tell you. Because of the fire set off by the student riots, I experienced temporary lung damage and had to go to the hospital. While I was there, I fell in love with an orderly named Jim.
He has quite a story. He quit high school after grade eleven to get married. About a year ago he got a divorce.
We’ve been going together for about a couple of months now and I just moved in with him.
I dropped out of school when I found out I was pregnant. Jim got fired because of his drinking, so we’re going to move to Alaska where we might get married after the birth of the baby. I’ll try to stay in touch.
Signed, your loving daughter
P.S.: Dear mom and dad: None of the above really happened. NONE of it is true. However, it IS true that I got a C in French and I flunked my chemistry class. And it IS true I need some more money. I just wanted you to keep things in perspective.
Wow! You might not like the tactics she chose, but you have to give that little gal credit. She knew that pressures and problems take all new sizes when viewed from a certain vantage point. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Choosing the Long View
The Apostle Paul recognized this full well. He experienced an array of challenges that none of us can match.
“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”
II Corinthians 11:24-28
Quite a list, eh? And yet Paul was able to keep all of this in perspective, choosing to put his focus not on what was but on what was to be.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
II Corinthians 4:17-18
You may never have to endure what Paul did, but you will know your share of pressure and pain. You can’t choose otherwise.
What you can choose is your perspective.
You will know your share of pressure and pain. You can’t choose otherwise. What you can choose is your perspective.
So determine to take the long view. Lift your eyes to the heavens. Know that your redemption draws near. And the best is yet to come.
Prayer
Lord, I must confess that, all too often, my focus is drawn to the problems that are rather than the potential that will be. Help me to right-size even the most difficult challenges by seeing them with heaven-focused eyes.
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