PERSPECTIVE

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:18

Today, we’ll ponder on a vital dimension of Attitude – PERSPECTIVE. That refers to your Outlook, Standpoint or Viewpoint. Perspective is the way you see things when you look at them from a certain distance, which allows you to better appreciate their value. Perspective creates Perception. Your outlook determines your output. Your stance defines your sight. How you position yourself to see and receive makes all the difference in life. Indeed, the choice is up to you: whether you position yourself to receive or to resist. When you are positioned right, opportunities present themselves. The “facts” facing you are not as important as your attitude, perspective or response toward them. To one person the world is desolate, dull and empty; to another the same world looks bright, vibrant, interesting, and full of meaning. Someone sees the glass half-full; another half-empty. It all boils down to that aspect of Attitude called Perspective: looking at “the things which are not seen”!

What are your perspectives to life? What are you looking for in life? Is life is more about possessions, positions, popularity, and power, than about fulfilling Purpose? Is life more about activity and business than about accomplishment, fruitfulness and fulfilment? Is life is more about accumulation and achievements than about Investment, Influence, and eternal Impact? Is life more about consumption and amassing than about productivity and distribution? Is life is more about spectacular “arrivals” than about growth, maturity, improvement and lessons learnt along the way? Is Life is more about competing, scheming, and snatching than about giving, sharing, and serving? Is life more about competition, confrontation, and winning at all costs than about divine assignment, commission, and mission? Is life more about pursuing greatness than about pursuing purpose? I’ve discovered that: Life is a race, but a Race by Grace; life is a fight, but a Fight of Faith (1Tim.6:12).

The way you look at life could be a reason for regrets or rejoicing. What you see depends mainly on what you look for. Some see weeds, some see a wish. Are you complaining because life’s roses have thorns? Why not be thankful that thorns have roses? Your perspective could turn life’s mess into a message of hope for others. You can see success where others see failure; victory where they see defeat; and lifting up instead of casting down (Job 22:29). Life often responds to your outlook and expectation. Life is mainly a matter of expectation. “For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (Pro.23:18 KJV). Why not see a Way where others see wilderness, rivers where they see desert (Isa.43:19); and a reservoir in a rock (Psa.105:41)? Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness. The Psalmist walked through “the valley of the shadow of death,” yet he saw God’s Presence, His rod and staff comforting him, and a banqueting table of abundance set before him (Psa.23: 4-5).

What are your perspectives about Time? Do you know that Time is scarce, costly, and is equal to life? So, invest it wisely.

What is your perception about Challenges? Have you discovered that Challenges make Champions? So, face them boldly.

What is your outlook to Mistakes? Do you know that Mistakes are often the best Teachers? So, learn from them.

What is your viewpoint on Failures? Do you know that failure is a situation, never a person? Failure is a temporary detour, not a dead end street. A stumble is not a fall; it may actually prevent a fall.

There is way in which the things you look at change, when you change the way you look at things. Above all else, learn to access and adopt God’s Perspective to all things. Wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s Perspective. Be wise!