At the beginning of this calendar year I chose a word from God to live by and to help direct me. The word is "Perspective." I have begged and pleaded for a new word ever since. I have been truly stretched this year. Each day I have needed to speak that word, perspective, over and over to myself. I will admit most days I could not change my wrong-headed perspective and would go down a thought path that went nowhere. I'm not sure about other careers or other people, but for me I get much of my self-worth from other people. This is a dangerous place to spend your time. I tried to speak perspective into my life this year and now 8 months later I think I may be gaining on the idea. Here are 3 things I have learned about perspective this year.
1. God is in control...always!: Dwelling on this word has allowed me to see that even though it is my passion to help other people and try and "fix" their problems (or at least advise them to a good path), this is not under my control. What I have control over is to allow myself to be used by God. God has the control! I must continue to keep the perspective that I am an instrument of His to be used for His glory. God has given me gifts of compassion, love, leadership, wisdom, and administration, but He does not give me control. So my prayer is that God will continue to use me in His kingdom and that I can remain humble and willing as his servant
2. My perspective is not the ONLY perspective: I pride (now there's a word) myself in being able to take care of myself and being a self starter. I appreciate the fact that I'm independent and have my own ideas and creativity. Over the years (since I was a kid) I have really leaned into my ability to think through things logically and thoroughly. None of these qualities are awful, but for me it has meant that I truly believe in my own perspective and am able to defend my position. Now I want to be fair to myself I am willing and able to listen to other perspectives and even change or tweak my own. However, that is not where I naturally begin. Over this year, focusing on this word, I have seen the need to allow for a different perspective to be on the table first. Allowing for other perspectives is a growth area for me.
3. Perspective takes time: Whether you are trying to gain perspective or change your perspective, it takes time. It has taken months for things that should have been easily realized to be realized. When a church adopts a vision and begins to put it into place, it takes time for the body of that congregation to accept and enter into that vision. Anything that is of worth takes time. I don’t look at things the same way today that I did 10, 20, or 30 years ago. Time allows for someone to evaluate the past, see the present, and dream about the future.
I’m not perfect, that I have always known. However, God in me is perfect and that changes my imperfections into holiness. I’m not on this earth to be a famous preacher, skilled writer, creative conflict manager, doting husband, or patient father. There isn’t anything wrong with any of those things. I’m here to glorify God and point everyone to His kingdom. I hope that through preaching, writing, dealing with conflict, loving Leah, and parenting my children I am doing just that; glorifying God and pointing people to His kingdom. If I can keep that perspective all of these other things will take care of themselves. After all God is in control!
1. God is in control...always!: Dwelling on this word has allowed me to see that even though it is my passion to help other people and try and "fix" their problems (or at least advise them to a good path), this is not under my control. What I have control over is to allow myself to be used by God. God has the control! I must continue to keep the perspective that I am an instrument of His to be used for His glory. God has given me gifts of compassion, love, leadership, wisdom, and administration, but He does not give me control. So my prayer is that God will continue to use me in His kingdom and that I can remain humble and willing as his servant
2. My perspective is not the ONLY perspective: I pride (now there's a word) myself in being able to take care of myself and being a self starter. I appreciate the fact that I'm independent and have my own ideas and creativity. Over the years (since I was a kid) I have really leaned into my ability to think through things logically and thoroughly. None of these qualities are awful, but for me it has meant that I truly believe in my own perspective and am able to defend my position. Now I want to be fair to myself I am willing and able to listen to other perspectives and even change or tweak my own. However, that is not where I naturally begin. Over this year, focusing on this word, I have seen the need to allow for a different perspective to be on the table first. Allowing for other perspectives is a growth area for me.
3. Perspective takes time: Whether you are trying to gain perspective or change your perspective, it takes time. It has taken months for things that should have been easily realized to be realized. When a church adopts a vision and begins to put it into place, it takes time for the body of that congregation to accept and enter into that vision. Anything that is of worth takes time. I don’t look at things the same way today that I did 10, 20, or 30 years ago. Time allows for someone to evaluate the past, see the present, and dream about the future.
I’m not perfect, that I have always known. However, God in me is perfect and that changes my imperfections into holiness. I’m not on this earth to be a famous preacher, skilled writer, creative conflict manager, doting husband, or patient father. There isn’t anything wrong with any of those things. I’m here to glorify God and point everyone to His kingdom. I hope that through preaching, writing, dealing with conflict, loving Leah, and parenting my children I am doing just that; glorifying God and pointing people to His kingdom. If I can keep that perspective all of these other things will take care of themselves. After all God is in control!
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