Proper Perspective

When I was in elementary school, I
remember learning about different
types of art all throughout history.
Having a brother who was an artist,
this section of study intrigued me.
I remember specifically studying a
type of art called “Perspective Art.”
Now, all art has perspective, but
these images contained one obvious
subject and at least a second subject.
The subject of the image would
change based upon the viewer’s
angle, distance from, and attitude
in relation to the image.

The word “perspective” is a word
that is in common usage in the
English language today. The word
and concept comes from Medieval
Latin in the late 14th century,
perspectiva ars meaning “science
of optics”. The meaning in today’s
English is roughly the same:

PERSPECTIVE (NOUN): a
particular way of viewing things
that depends on one’s experience
and personality.

Simply put, perspective is the
understanding of perceived or
observable items or situations as
filtered through one’s experience,
personality and influences. It is
the ability possessed by every
human being to reconcile within
himself that which he perceives
and observes. However, I have
come to understand that just like in
those “Perspective Art” images, my
understanding of what I perceive or
observe will change depending on
my perspective. Over these twelve
and a half years of ministry it has
been displayed clearly over and over
again the need to pay close attention
to my perspective, and to adjust my
perspective as needed.

I understand the role that my
experiences, personality, and
influences play in my understanding
and opinion of any given situation.
My experiences, personality, and
influences provide a framework or
context with which I will view and
understand that situation. However,
as a Christian, my framework or
context must not be determined by
my experiences, personality, and
influences: it should be determined
by God.

As a Christian and a missionary,
I understand the need for
accurate context in preaching. My
understanding of the context of
any given passage of Scripture will
determine whether or not that
passage is expounded accurately.
The same is true for my personal
context. If my personal context is
not determined by God, then my
perspective will be off (Proverbs
14:12). Having a proper godly
perspective is a mark of spiritual
maturity (1 Corinthians 13:11;
1 Corinthians 14:20).

God’s desire for us is that our
perspective be a by-product of godly
thinking and influences. A proper
godly perspective will affect every
aspect of my life. If my perspective
is right, my thoughts will be right. If
my thoughts are right, my reactions
will be right. I will not cultivate
bitterness toward others for God’s
perceived blessings in their life
when I don’t perceive those same
blessings in my life. My perspective
is not determined by my fluctuating
emotions or my life experiences, but
by the faithfulness and promises
of God.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all thine
heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.

An artist creates his masterpiece
with a specific perspective in
mind, and if we desire to see this
masterpiece as he does, we must
seek out his perspective. The same
is true of God. God is the Creator
and Designer of this world, and as
Christians we must seek out His
perspective for His masterpiece.
The Christian life should be one
of adjusting our perspective to
match that of our Creator and
heavenly Father. With a proper
godly perspective, come what
may, whether trials or triumphs,
blessings or disappointments, times
of waiting or action, we can respond
correctly (Philippians 4:11-13).