So much of what we see and feel depends on our perspective. When we are discouraged or depressed, everything seems so much bigger than us and we feel there is no escape from the woes which surround us.
Colossians 3:1-2 TNIV offers us an alternative way of looking at things: ‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.’ Ephesians 2:6 TNIV offers us a similar view: ‘God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.’ Things don’t look quite the same from that vantage point!
When we were in Oxford (‘the city of dreaming spires’), we had the rare opportunity to go to the top of the Arco building at Keble College and stand on the roof there. The views from so high up were completely different to what we could see from the ground.
This is from the ground:
This is from the roof:
Often, it’s not the situation itself that needs to change, but our perspective of it. The song ‘Voice of Truth’ looks at two Bible stories: Peter walking on water and David and Goliath. Initially, the perspective is what we might call the ‘natural’ one: fear and doubt: ‘the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me’, ‘the giant’s calling out my name and he laughs at me/ Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed’. That is often our perspective and it’s a discouraging one. However, the song goes on to remind us:
“But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves, they don’t seem so high
From on top of them looking down.
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me.” (‘Voice of Truth’, Casting Crowns)
‘Voice of Truth’, Casting Crowns
Let’s remember who we are in God and from what perspective we can view life!