What do you see? Your perspective

 

Stephanie and I are resting in SUNNY, WARM, FLORIDA. When I look ahead at the forecast here in FL, I see perfect weather. Yet, for people here in the Sunshine state, do not view the weather as either sunny or warm. Yesterday we had some sun early, but it was mostly cloudy with rain the rest of the day. The temperatures were in the 70’s, I was wearing shorts and a tshirt. It was lovely! Today the highs will only be in the upper 50’s. I am sure people will be wearing heavy coats today. I have no plans on bundling up, LOL! It makes me chuckle! Back in the Hoosier State, they are experiencing real temperatures around zero and dangerous windchills well below zero. I marvel at the differing perspectives. 

How we see the world varies greatly from one person to another. Just like we view the weather through different eyes, we view life through a different lens. Actually, how we see the world changes throughout our life. I remember the younger STEVE was all about progressing up the “corporate ladder”, gaining more power, influence, money, and things. It was all about me. Now, I have one goal, serving Jesus and doing my part to grow His kingdom. Not that I have completely discarded the old viewpoint. Many time my thoughts once again turn to selfishness and living life for ME! But, I am working on it. 

As I read Matthew 18 today, I see the perspective God wants me to strive for. Jesus modeled service, humility, compassion, patience,  and forgiveness. The stories he told, the parables, were all designed to change our perspective, to see with his eyes! Here are some Jesus perspectives:

“”Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

“In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)

“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven.’”(Matthew 18:21-22)

“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.” (Matthew 18:26-27)

That last story is so amazing. First of all the King loaned him nearly a million dollars. Who does that? And who does that for someone who might not have the means to pay it off? Then the King doesn’t just give him more time to pay off this loan, he COMPLETELY FORGAVE HIS DEBT! 

That is exactly what Jesus does for us. There is no way we should be trusted taking care of his creation. We aren’t that responsible and have not demonstrated our abilities. We can never pay him back. As a matter of fact, we just keep getting deeper and deeper in debt. Our King doesn’t care, he still completely forgave our debts even when we deserved severe punishment.

We need to change our perspective. When we start seeing our lives through the eyes of Jesus, we become more focused on serving others. We view ourselves with more humbleness. We treasure our relationships and want to serve people with compassion, patience, and complete forgiveness. I praise God for the lessons we learn in life that drive our hearts and thoughts closer to Jesus.