I love the lessons God sends through ordinary things.  I have often wanted to write about perspective – how we view what is happening in our little piece of the world.  We have had a heightened sense of different perspective the last few months.  Data can be interpreted more than one way.  Opinions are strong and sometimes confused with facts.  Merriam-Webster’s dictionary gives the following definition (it is #2 on their list): “belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge.”  An opinion is a viewpoint.  I know that many people seek to base their opinion in fact, but the truth is none of us will know everything.  We will also not know what we are missing.  We don’t know what we don’t know.

My featured image in this post has two pictures of the same tulips taken from two different angles.  The pictures were taken the same day, within a few seconds of each other.  From one angle the tulips look like they are 6 inches apart.  The other picture looks like one is right in front of the other.  The truth?  The flowers were 6 inches apart.  I looked at them several times while they were blooming. I have dozens of pictures (they are special tulips).

We will never know everything.  Only God knows everything.   How can we know if we have a proper perspective?  By pleading in prayer.  James 1:5 tells us that if we ask God for wisdom (not just knowledge, but wisdom), He will give freely.  Godly wisdom is the only way to work through the plethora of information bombarding us these days.  We can navigate the maze a whole lot better when we have God’s wisdom guiding us.  God will never lead us astray.  We do that on our own.

How do we work through interacting with others whose perspective is different than ours? With humility, gentleness, patience and love.  As I humble myself in prayer God will guide me through the sometimes turbulent waters of relationships.  He will give me what I need to manage.

Dear Heavenly Father, we have so much hurt right now.  We need humility, gentleness, patience and love. Thank you that Jesus gave us the perfect example of this behavior.  Please help me to live this way to Your honor and glory.  I want to serve You effectively.  

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.