Turning the Lens

Psalm 59:16-17, “But I will sing about your strength. In the morning, I will sing about your love. You are my defender, my place of safety in times of trouble. God, my strength, I will sing praises to you. God, my defender, you are the God who loves me.”

Most of us have likely heard about a glass filled partially with water. Some say it's half empty, others say it's half full. Well, what is it?

     This all leads mainly to perspective and each of us will see things differently. Both answers are right, yet this has been discussed many times over. If you're a positive person it's half full, if you look at life in a more negative way, it's of course, half empty.

     I don't necessarily agree with that thought process. It's a good point yes, but I think life and how we live it and view it is more about perspective. So, many times we all have turned a blind eye to our perspectives and life. Something ‘should’ be a certain way or it just ‘is’ this way or that way. A world with only black and white forgetting there are so many colorful shades in between. When we get into this mindset, and let's be honest, we all have now and again. The problem is we act on those views and often miss out on other blessings.

*  Today we can complain because the weather is rainy or… be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free!

*  Today we can grumble about our health or… rejoice that we are alive!

*  Today we can cry because roses have thorns or… celebrate that thorns have roses!

*  Today we can mourn our lack of friends or… excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships!

*  Today we can whine because we have to go to work or… shout for joy because we have a job!

*  Today we can complain because we have to go to school or… eagerly open our minds and fill up with rich new tidbits of knowledge!

*  Today we can murmur dejectedly because we have to do housework or… feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for our minds, bodies, and souls!

     “A story was shared of some friends who were about to meet up during the whole COVID time. After being cooped up in their homes for some time they were glad to be able to walk outside along a small boardwalk. While they walked, they came upon a small restaurant. They were sad to see the red words ‘closed’ on the sign as that had seemed to be a more common word during that time. They continued walking and talking about all the new changes COVID had brought to the world.

     On their way back to their cars they came to the restaurant again, this time coming from the other side. They had to stop while one friend removed something from her shoe. Looking again at the sign they now saw big green words ‘open’. On the walk the first time they had only seen the sign where you exit, not enter.

     Our minds work that way. Instead of looking a little deeper, the friends saw the closed sign immediately, dismissed the idea that there was another side to the sign. No one thought to think there may be an alternative view or that they may just have been looking at the wrong side of the sign. COVID had already conditioned their minds, so they saw ‘closed’ and just kept walking and talking about their lives, completely unaware of their surroundings.” -Story by Beverly D. Flexington, teacher at Suffolk University

     This world is becoming more divided and so many people are losing perspective and often see what they ‘expect’ To see instead of just walking to the other side of the sign. We all have our beliefs, and we usually will find all the facts and data to defend or support them (and I am talking about more than just religious beliefs). Wouldn't life seem a little less complicated if we try to see the colors in between, maybe look for alternative views that can help broaden our own views? Wouldn't life be just a little easier if we stayed a little more open minded rather than staying stuck on one side of the sign? Yes, I am talking to myself too, as I tend to fall a little one track myself. Why can't the cup be both?

     There will always be things in life to grumble and complain about. Especially when we are going through trials or difficulties. Yet, as Christians we have been given something wonderful. We have a Savior who loves and cares for us. In the midst of those challenging times when we change our perspectives, we are able to see the other side of the sign- Romans 8:28. “When we choose to put our trust in God, we can find a path to pleasant places even in the midst of problems”- unknown

     Perspective changes both our view and our attitudes. There are times we fail to stop and look at God's overall plan for our lives. It's like looking through binoculars on the wrong side where things are so far off. Yet, when we look at things from God's perspective through the correct lens, He will bring things right to you- Romans 8:24-25.

     The way we see things can sometimes be one way, our limited way. When trials come or we are going through our daily mundane things we may miss the blessings. If you feel overwhelmed, stresses are causing you to see the glass half empty. Maybe it's time to change your perspective and see it from God's view. Instead of looking for the significance, look for the magnificent.

     Today stretches ahead of us, waiting to be shaped, and here we are, the sculptors who get to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to us. We get to choose what kind of day we have! What kind of day will you choose?

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