Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A matter of perspective.



Yesterday I was reading one of my old collections of Reader´s Digests and came across this little dittie:-

"I had been Sports Editor of the Port Chester, N.Y., Daily Item only a few weeks when my wife and I went to the movies in downtown Port Chester. The house lights were still on as we walked down th aisle and the 13 or 14 people scattered throughout the theatre turned towards and began to applaud. I was stunned. Even though my daily sports column included a photo of me, I had no idea I had become so popular in such a short time.

When the moive was over, one of the patrons came over and vigorously shook my hand. "I´m very flattered that all you people recognize me, " I told him. "I´m really amazed and honoured."

"I don´t know about that," he said, puzzled. "All I know is that a few seconds before you and your wife walked in, they announced that unless there were at least 15 customers in the theatre, the wouldn´t show the moive!!""


Isn´t that precious? I just laughed and laughed when I read this and I began to ponder how important the role perspective plays in our lives!

This newspaper reporter had a certain perspective about what was going on and interpreted the situation from that stand point. It´s very funny to note that what he thought was the reason for the applause couldn´'t have been further from the truth could it?

One could conclude that our perspectives can often not be based on truth, and therefore the conclusions we often draw can be erroneous. Our perspective is based often only on part of the truth and not the whole picture.


perspective
noun


1.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.; "consider what follows from the positivist view" [syn:
position]
2.
the appearance of things relative to one another as determined by their distance from th
e viewer


I am sure many of you have seen the movie Ratatouille and the part when the food critic Anton orders some perspective and the poor waiter stands there dumb founded wondering what on earth he is talking about.

Perspective is key when forming our ideas and opinions about where we are at, where we will go and what we will do. Our perspective plays a major role in how we afront difficulties and walk through life. It can be a make or break of many situations. It has the ability to rise above what we see. It´s interesting that our perspective is determined by DISTANCE or POSITION.

Working in a team gives us the posibility of having different perspectives and to view any given situation from all angles. The bible talks about there being wisdom in a multitude of counsellors and I believe that is what it´s conveying.

There is also reference to being in heavenly places with Christ Jesus...being up there with him and seeing our lives from His perspective. Placing distance between us and our problems can be the first step to gaining a truthful perspective on the whole.



1 Corinthians 13:12 says


For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Now we see in part...our perspective on this earth is limited, but God´s is not. He has the whole perspective from all positions and He wants to guide us.



Let us then be encouraged to do as it says in Proverbs 3:5



Trust in the LORD with all your heart


And do not lean on your own understanding................ (to your own perspective!!!!)


11 comments:

Knit-Wit said...

I agree! My prayer and hope is that I can see everything through God's perspective.

Sassiekiwi said...

Good post Alli ... I think this is something God talks alot to us about through the bible ... put another way, its "what do we choose to look at?" ... This is where alot of come to ruin!

Thanks for the reminder!

Melissa in Mel's World said...

I love it Ally...I was just reading today about maintaining a proper perspective in ALL things and it really made me think that all too often we only see things from our (OUR) point of view...which is not always right.

Thanks!
Melissa

Sharon Brumfield said...

Walking by faith and not by sight.

My perspective has often been messed up lately. The battle of knowing if I am seeing things as they are or as God is seeing them--sometimes it is very tiring.
THe battle in the mind is so real.
It would be great to be able to sit at His side and find myself separate from the events in my life.
It is a spiritual reality.
Here on earth I must ask Him to let me see the events of my life through His eyes.
One of these days I am going to learn. When that happens I will keep my patoot in that chair in heaven.

A Captured Reflection said...

I loved Ratatouille and this is so right with perspective. I know at 'certain' times of the month my perspective is way out, and then a few days later it all makes sense again. Perspective can be dictated by feelings and emotions and then are not always the truth...great post. Safe travels to Guernsey!!

luvmy4sons said...

Great stuff! GREAT STUFF!

Karen's Korner said...

Yes... exactly! Like Sharon said, my perspective has been way off lately as you well know! Hope you have fun in Guernsey. We prayed for you and Deb today.
I posted a couple of things today too.

She Rose Up said...

Great wisdom my dear friend! Amen! I have SOO very much been struggling in this area of late (seems I am not alone!)

I haven't seen the movie yet, I will have to make a point to!

I too have noticed the monthly change of view point! I always try to keep that in mind at decision making time! Also - no late night decison - as I do better after "sleeping on it!" :)

Thanks for such a light hearted yet meaningful reminder of TRUTH!

xoxo,
Maria

Alida Sharp said...

perspective is one of my favorite words!!

Unknown said...

WOW! This was written only 6 days ago and I am getting to it today. How perfect when given where I am today!

AMAIZING just isn't enough!

Thanks for writing this one...I needed it!

Anonymous said...

I tagged you for a meme about Reason why you blog. I hope you feel like playing along if not that is totally okay.

Enjoy your day!
Debbie