The Right Perspective

When I was sixteen years old, I distinctly remember standing at my chest of drawers, in my room thinking to myself, “I will never get to go to college”.  At sixteen, life moved so slowly that I couldn’t imagine the future.  My perspective was pretty much a carnal perspective..  I was unable to think in terms of eternity.  Little did I know that life and time would march on in a steady, unshakable way.  Now, I reflect back and wonder, “Where did all those years go?”

As a young man I felt trapped living in my parents’ world, living life to please, or at least satisfy, my mom and dad.  I had not had a chance yet to develop a “higher” perspective.  I had almost no ability to think of traveling, starting a business, or becoming a missionary.  I had not developed a larger perspective that included God.  I was taught God’s Word but I had not developed much as a spiritual person.  

Today, may I emphasize the importance of living life with a proper perspective?  Wise men (and women) live each day understanding that life is short and eternity is long… and how we live today will determine how we live in the hereafter.  Instead of being absorbed in today’s activities and concerns, maybe we could begin to develop a heavenly, eternal perspective.  If we can do that, the bumps and bruises, the disappointments and personal failures will take on a clearer, truer meaning.  We are told through scripture that our Creator’s thoughts toward us are “thoughts of peace to give us a future and a hope.”  He also says that He is FOR us, not against us.  Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you… and I will come again that where I am there you may be also.”  

When I was courting my wife to be, my entire focus was on her.  My thinking and pursuits were pretty much “earth bound.”  To grow wiser and to understand life better, we will have to pursue the things of God.  Just to remind you, Jesus said,“…Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” That’s saying, keep your eyes focused on the “long game” and God will give you the rest of those things needed to help you through life.

Well, I did get to go to college after all, several of them in fact.  I did get to travel and love people I will not see again in this life who needed to be loved, and I did get to serve my fellow man through the wonderful gift of eye care.  I did get to marry my high school sweetheart.  I did get to have children and grandchildren.  We can count on God to keep His word to us!

But, as I have grown I have now come to understand that the things that you can see and touch are things that will fade away.  God’s Word says that life is like a vapor.  It is here for a short while and then disappears.  The sooner we can learn this truth, the better life will be.