Perspective

Look as a photographer does. 

Use all your lenses and change your position:

from close-up to wide-angle, from ariel to x-ray.

Take in the small things but zoom out to see the full picture.

Look beyond the obvious.

Relish the complexities and the relationships.

-Patrick Lindsay

Do you ever carry the habit to continually look at circumstances or situations from one perspective? Maybe you see things so closely that you are unable to see the magnifying picture. Maybe you look so broadly that you can't see the specifics needed for a situation. Personally, I know that the subject of perspective was challenging for me. When I was taking my studio drawing classes in classes, it took months of practice to get my perspectives just right. Somehow, the shape of an object would appear "flat" or "obscure" in my drawing. It took patience, direction, and guidance from my professor to train my eye to a new perspective.

As it is with art, I believe that the same lesson applies to our daily lives. We hit joys and challenges along the way. There are life events that trigger us and can either cause us to gain or lose perspective: the birth/loss of a child, a failed marriage, physical/terminal illness, loss of a job, a promotion, an inheritance. The list goes on, but the key is--how will we respond? How will we look at and into the situation? Will we allow the circumstance to obscure our response or will we remain steadfast in our perspective?

James speaks of how we are to "remain steadfast" (1:12) under life's circumstances. We aren't to give way, but to look to the One who is in charge of it all. He calls us to see from His perspective, so that we may dwell with Him and find peace. He is the Giver of all life and is able to see a situation from beginning to end. So, as I asked my art professor to teach me about perspective, ask Jesus to teach you how to see from His perspective. As you listen and obey, you will be amazed as you learn to see as He sees.