Putting things in perspective
It’s easy at times to make a mountain out of a molehill, to lose sight of what’s really important. Sometimes it’s a case of too much to do and not enough time, others it’s due to the enormity of what lays ahead, fear and anxiety kick in. At other times it due to procrastination. In this time that we are in it can be due to COVID-19, but whatever the cause, it’s so easy to lose sight and lose our perspective.
As believers we need to have a kingdom perspective, look toward Christ and salvation in Him. Our hope lies not in the things of this world, but in Christ. To help us keep things in perspective it is interesting to note that before they died, Muhammad said ‘I don’t know the purpose of life‘. Buddha said to his followers ‘seek for the truth’. Confucius said ‘I am not the way’. Jesus is the only one who rose from the dead. The other three are still in their grave.
I think that gives us perspective. The goal is not to be anything except what God has called you to. You are a child of God, bought by the blood of Christ shed for, and because of, your sin. The perspective that Christ wants you to have is that of His Kingdom. You are citizens of heaven! You have been commissioned by God the Father through Jesus to tell of His kingdom. You don’t have to be a missionary, unless God calls you for that. You don’t have to be an evangelist, unless God calls you for that, but you are called to tell what you have seen and heard, to proclaim that Christ died and rose again, and through Him salvation is offered to all who would believe in Him.
Think back to a time before you knew Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Who was the one that told you? It may have been many people or one person, many times. I remember back in Christchurch when I was at Christchurch Polytechnic there was a guy who I became friends with who was a Christian. He showed his faith by actions rather than words, but the few words that he spoke didn’t fall away. I have an aunt and uncle who are believers who were praying for me, even though I didn’t know it, and finally I had a friend I knew from school who gave His life to Jesus. It was ultimately through His witness that I came to Christ. Each person played a part. Who are the ones that played a part in your life? You have been given the greatest gift of all, and are commissioned by God to share it. Our perspective is that of His kingdom.
Let us, as His people, not let things cloud our perspective, let’s not lose sight of it. It gets hard; life tries to get in the way. The enemy will try to thwart your attempts, but if we keep Christ and His kingdom in perspective, we can and will overcome. The enemy is a defeated foe, he has no hold over us, we are in Christ, set free from the enemy’s bondage, and we have victory in Christ! So believer, what is your perspective today? That of Christ and His kingdom, or have you lost sight? I leave you with the words of James:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
In Christ our Redeemer, Ps Jeff