Are You Seeing Clearly?

We can live our best lives when we have a healthy perspective.

My friend, a pastor’s wife, stopped by my house to drop something off. She mentioned she needed to hurry home as unexpected weekend guests were awaiting her. She had worked all week and had not been prepared to have guests in her home.

“I hope you have a nice weekend,” I told her, “in spite of the unexpected guests.”

“Oh no,” she answered. “I will have a nice weekend because of my guests.”

What a great picture of perspective! This conversation happened many years ago, but I have not forgotten the impact it had on my thinking.

A perspective is a particular way of considering something; a point of view. The word comes from a Latin root meaning to look through or see clearly. Our perspective effects everything in our lives – from our attitude toward others to our response to life’s difficulties. But there is good news! We can live our best lives when we have a healthy and positive perspective on how to do so. I believe that that perspective comes from the foundation of God’s Word.

My friend may have been looking at her weekend with these verses in mind, Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

These words may be contrary to our initial thoughts when faced with a challenging task. I find it amazing how a small change in perspective can transform our thinking and our outlook. In addition, the satisfaction we get from cheerfully serving God and others far outweighs the regret we experience when we give in to “selfishness and empty conceit”. I am willing to bet that my friend, her family and their guests had a wonderful weekend together, and that she returned to work refreshed and contented.

The other day I enjoyed a lengthy phone conversation with my Aunt Nene. Aunt Nene is my mother’s twin sister. She is 92 years old and, as they say, sharp as a tack. I love her perspective on life. She is always positive and encouraging.

Aunt Nene worked at a local senior living facility for fifty years. She had picked out a lovely corner room that she would choose to live in, “if she ever had to live there”. After my uncle passed away several years ago, Aunt Nene lived alone in the home they had built together. The year she turned 90 she, and their four daughters, agreed it best that she move into the senior home where she would not be alone. She had just stopped working there a few months earlier! It just happened that the room she had chosen some years ago became available at the very same time.

Being a very active and outgoing person, Aunt Nene has had a bit of a hard time with the lockdown during this COVID pandemic. She has not been able to see her daughters in person, for eight months. She has not been able to visit her beloved home where she had been in the habit of spending some of her days amidst her cherished antiques, collection of teddy bears and a myriad of house plants.

I inquired whether she needed anything, something I could send her. She assured me that she has everything she needs.

“Things are not important.” She added. “People are important. I am okay. I am just fine. It could be much worse.”

Another great picture of perspective! I am not sure what Aunt Nene would believe to be worse, but it is obvious she has accepted the “what is” for now. She has entrusted her life to the God who is in control. Psalm 73:26 says this, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” When we choose the perspective that we are loved by a trustworthy, sovereign God, we have less reason to lament our present circumstances and more reason to feel secure even in the midst of hardships.

Whatever you are going through in life today, I encourage you to think about your perspective. I hope that you will begin to see beyond what you see! Remember, a small change can make a significant difference. I am praying for you!