Day 171: Perspective

I got a new pair of glasses recently. I was overdue for an eye exam, so I finally made an appointment. I must confess, I always get a little anxious when I go. When you're indecisive, repeatedly being asked, "Which is better, A or B?" feels like a lot of pressure. "I don't know. What if they're both good?" I respond. Indecision and perfectionism make strange bedfellows in this scenario. But there is no right or wrong answer to those questions. It's all a matter of perspective. And when my sassy new prescription sunglasses came in, my perspective had never been so clear.

If only my perspective on life were always as clear and vibrant. But at times it is dingy and out of focus. I begin to get distracted by peripherals and forget where my focus is supposed to be. But Paul reminded us in II Corinthians where our focus is supposed to be ...

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (II Corinthians 4:17-18)

Is that some sort of sick joke? How can we fix our eyes on what is unseen? Look at Job. In one day his oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, servants, and all his children were taken from him. His response? He worshiped. Yes, worshiped. His immediate response was not to yell, complain, or argue but to worship.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)

His eyes were fixed on God, the only thing that is eternal. It's not about stuff, or to some degree even people. Look back at Paul's words in Corinthians. Our trials don't have to defeat us. They are "light" and "momentary" when compared to a magnificent eternal God. And that God will use those temporary trials to do eternally significant work in us. If we, like Job, can view life with that perspective, then nothing can kick our legs out from underneath us. We can worship no matter what.

On good running days and bad.
In the cool of spring and in the sweltering heat of summer.
When you're in the bliss of new love and when you're alone.
When you get a promotion and when you get fired.
When all is right in your world and when nothing is.
God is eternal. God is good.
He is eternally good. Bless His name.

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name