Seeing the Greater Perspective

January 30, 2018
God's Fellowship, Life purpose

On what do you focus? Do you get caught up in life’s challenges? Default to seeing the negatives? Many people do. Or can you view the glass as half full, seeing the greater perspective and positive reasons we have to celebrate life? It makes a big difference. God has intentions for us!

As a professor once shared with his students, “Our life is a gift given to us by God, with love and care. We always have reasons to celebrate—nature renewing itself every day, our friends around us, the job that provides our livelihood, and the miracles we see every day. So why do we insist on focusing only on the dark spots—the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment in a friend?

“The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they’re the ones that pollute our mind. Take your eyes away from the dark dots in your life. Enjoy the blessings of each moment that life gives you. We want to focus on the larger perspective.”

The Greater Perspective

I included the professor’s quote in my book, Created To Relate, because of the significance it holds for all our lives. In Chapter 8, I discuss the two deepest questions that humans have ever asked: Why are we here? And, why am I here?

A foundational answer to “Why are we here?” would be: We are created to know and love God as Father, so we can become reflective resemblances of His heart and love one another as His offspring and maturing children. My blog “Are You Just Waiting For the Celestial Express?” expounds on this foundational answer.

“Why am I here?” is more complicated. However, if we do not see and build on the foundation of “why we are here,” our personal purpose will miss a lot of defining value. God comes to each of us as a Spirit presence to share details on a more personal level.

God comes to each of us as a Spirit presence on a personal level.

Amazing Insights

God revealed two amazing insights when He appeared in the human life of Jesus Christ:

1. God is our heavenly Father. He lovingly forgives our waywardness and longs to guide and teach us through this life experience.
2. God demonstrated His desire for us as children, in the son-to-Father fellowship Jesus had with Him.

Jesus listened and looked to see what His Father was doing, and did likewise (John 5:19). Jesus even prayed that we would be where he was: listening and seeing what our Father is doing (John 17:24). We can actually do this!

Did you realize there are only two passages in Scripture indicating God and His ways may be beyond our ability to understand? The Old Testament passage says the thoughts and ways of God are not like those of the rebellious house of Israel (Isaiah 55:8). The New Testament passage says the heart and ways of God are beyond our ability to fully fathom:

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Romans 11:33)

Seek and Know God’s Ways

While the depths of God’s wisdom and the knowledge of His ways are beyond anyone’s ability to fully understand, there are 43 passages in Scripture that clearly say we can know, keep, walk in, and teach the ways of God! Jesus, himself, said that all who seek can know the ways of God.

Ask, and it will be given… seek, and you will find (Matthew 7:7).

Behold… if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20).

Our personal fellowship with the Father enables us to express our concerns to Him and allows God to share His guiding insight with us.

Personal fellowship with Father allows God to share His guiding insight.

Drawing from God’s Insightful Perspective

We can believe God exists; even serve Him with our gifting, yet not be responsive to His guidance. God invites us beyond believing and serving to enthusiastically draw from His interactive fellowship and insightful perspective. He instructed us to observe Jesus’ life example and learn the truthful way to live.

Our transformation into God’s intention happens within fellowship with Father and each other. God calls us to be part of something bigger than ourselves, living beyond self-interests. Yes, as participating members of God’s family!

We are gifted for the greater perspective. When we ask God how to use our gifts, He willingly guides us. Are you actively asking?

 

Keith Carroll, Relational Gospel Founder

Resources to go deeper:

Seeing the Greater PerspectiveSeeing the Greater Perspective

Created to Relate, Insights Into Our Design and Purpose, and The Christ Culture, A Way of Life Like No Other.  Folks are finding our books to be insightful and stimulating. Get your copy today!

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