Faith and Perspective
One of my favorite things to do is converse with people about how their faith informs their perspective on life. My perspective is informed by my growing relationship with Jesus Christ as well as my growing understanding of what it means to be a mother, a woman, a daughter, a sister, a business partner (I'll tell you about that a little later), a single, a minister, a minority, a student, an American, a somewhat young person, a servant, and a friend. Along with each of these categories, my experiences within each of these areas colors my perspective too. There are certain emotions that can be triggered with every encounter and those also inform my perspective as well. All of these things help or hinder me in interpreting life. Do they all influence me at once, I think yes but not all equally. If I am riding a bike, I make adjustments to maintain my balance, but every adjustment requires that I move away from one area to move toward another area. I believe that it is the same with my perspective. I might need to back off of my mother perspective to understand a friend in their time of need. Sometimes I even have to let go of religious tradition to try to understand someone who is turned off by theology (God talk). I never stop being myself, I just pull on the identity that gives me the clearest understanding for a particular situation and the best bridge of connection for others.
There are so many things that can influence me that sometimes my view can get blocked unless I have a compass or focal point. The gospels (the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible) are a great example of faith and perspective. All of them tell about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, but all of them tell the story from different angles Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. That is one of the reasons why I love the Bible so much. It gives stories from multiple angles, but the central truth stays the same. GOD is real, Jesus is the Messiah, all we have to do is choose him, and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit into God's family forever. This is my compass and my focal point.
I said all of this to say that my identity colors my view, but faith shines a light on every situation in my life. Faith shows me where God is in every situation. He is my focal point. No matter what the circumstance and no matter what angle I am looking from, faith always shows me where God is in it or if God isn't in it. What good are colored lenses if there is no light. Of course I recognize that while my faith is toward God, sometimes my faith isn't toward God but in myself or others. Whenever I shine the light to try to illuminate myself, I find exactly what I didn't want to see. I see my inadequacy and unqualified bravado. I see filthy rags and useless attempts. I see broken love and false scholarship. This is why I must keep my faith shining toward God. When I shine toward him, he shines on me and gives me his perspective. When he shines on me I see grace and mercy. I see love and glory. I see kingdom authority. When his light shines through me, I am everything he made me to be. All glory belongs to him to place where he see fit.
People of the world it is time to ask ourselves what is coloring our view, what we are putting our faith on and in, and what is at the center of it all. I am so excited to be a partner of DPW Disciples of Promise llc because that is just what we are addressing on our new radio show "DPW Talks". Every Friday at 1:30pm EST we address different life subjects going on in the church and in the world and ask ourselves where God is and where we are in these matters. These times are not just for us, but for anyone that is wondering where God is on a matter. We use the Bible and the character of God to help people understand their lives. It is free to call in and listen or listen online so please be a part of it. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/135659 or call (724) 444-7444 ID 135659. We will have a time to take your questions. This Friday October 17th we will be talking about music and talent in the church. I am so excited to be connecting in this way. I pray that the Lord helps me to show his glory well.
There are so many things that can influence me that sometimes my view can get blocked unless I have a compass or focal point. The gospels (the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible) are a great example of faith and perspective. All of them tell about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, but all of them tell the story from different angles Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. That is one of the reasons why I love the Bible so much. It gives stories from multiple angles, but the central truth stays the same. GOD is real, Jesus is the Messiah, all we have to do is choose him, and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit into God's family forever. This is my compass and my focal point.
I said all of this to say that my identity colors my view, but faith shines a light on every situation in my life. Faith shows me where God is in every situation. He is my focal point. No matter what the circumstance and no matter what angle I am looking from, faith always shows me where God is in it or if God isn't in it. What good are colored lenses if there is no light. Of course I recognize that while my faith is toward God, sometimes my faith isn't toward God but in myself or others. Whenever I shine the light to try to illuminate myself, I find exactly what I didn't want to see. I see my inadequacy and unqualified bravado. I see filthy rags and useless attempts. I see broken love and false scholarship. This is why I must keep my faith shining toward God. When I shine toward him, he shines on me and gives me his perspective. When he shines on me I see grace and mercy. I see love and glory. I see kingdom authority. When his light shines through me, I am everything he made me to be. All glory belongs to him to place where he see fit.
People of the world it is time to ask ourselves what is coloring our view, what we are putting our faith on and in, and what is at the center of it all. I am so excited to be a partner of DPW Disciples of Promise llc because that is just what we are addressing on our new radio show "DPW Talks". Every Friday at 1:30pm EST we address different life subjects going on in the church and in the world and ask ourselves where God is and where we are in these matters. These times are not just for us, but for anyone that is wondering where God is on a matter. We use the Bible and the character of God to help people understand their lives. It is free to call in and listen or listen online so please be a part of it. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/135659 or call (724) 444-7444 ID 135659. We will have a time to take your questions. This Friday October 17th we will be talking about music and talent in the church. I am so excited to be connecting in this way. I pray that the Lord helps me to show his glory well.
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