I spent the better half of my morning pondering the wonder of perspective. I happened to be on a plane headed to New York and for whatever reason, perspective comes to me often in planes. Perhaps its because flying always unnerves me to some degree. You would think that after countless flights I'd be more comfortable on these contraptions but there is always this nagging thought "I don't think we should be doing this... I think we were meant to stay on the ground." :) Maybe its the fact that I'm hurtling through the air at 500+ miles an hour in a metal like flute with wings and I’m fully aware that if the slightest thing goes wrong, we’re all toast. Ha. Facing death brings such tremendous perspective on life so I try and do it often. Maybe there is something wrong with me.
In many ways perspective is the lens through which we view life, and depending on our lens life can either be a blessing or a curse, ugly or beautiful, sweet or sour. A positive lense can empower some to see good in an overwhelming negative time; power to look into the darkest storm and be at peace; power to have joy in the midst of great pain and hardship. On the other hand, a person with a negative perspective can win the lottery and and be depressed. I've met a few of these "Eeyore's." I find myself somewhere in the middle. I've never been accused of being overly positive; if I err, I err on the negative side. I've been accused (rightly so) of being a pessimist.
Regardless, I have always believed there is such a thing as "right" perspective; a correct lens through which to view and life and human interaction; an ultimate reality that supersedes all other “realities.” And I would say this reality- this perspective- is God’s and His alone. Seems right yes? As such, it is the reality and perspective that I want to encompass and cloak the whole of my life. I am constantly yearning for heavens eyes. In every life situation I want to see things as God sees them. I want to see the people I encounter and interact with everyday the way He does. I want the things that grip His heart to grip mine as well.
Whenever I encounter God’s perspective it lays waste the things I thought of great importance and exalts the small, humble things I’d written off as insignificant. It always makes me wonder how different my thoughts, my speech, and my actions would be if I carried this perspective with me at all times. Jesus always had the right perspective. He always had the ears and eyes to see and hear what His Father was doing. He always carried heaven’s perspective on earth. I want this in my life, and not only in my life but in the life of the Church as well.
My prayer is this: God may we function the same. Give us right perspective; Your perspective; the ears and eyes of heaven as we live here on earth.
My prayer is this: God may we function the same. Give us right perspective; Your perspective; the ears and eyes of heaven as we live here on earth.
6 comments:
I agree. I also want God's perspective as I go through life. It's easy to get off track, but when I picture standing before God one day, it instantly has a way of convicting me and reminding me of living with an eternal perspective. Not easy, but definitely my desire.
I'm really excited to have stumbled upon your blog. I'm sure you've been wondering who your biggest fan is... and, well... it's me! Besides loving your music, I've decided you need to write a book.lol! This blog is a good beginning. :)
God bless you.
hey man. i hope you actually read this. although i'm sure you are very busy. i just want to let you know how much your music has impacted my life. all of your songs have such meanings and you put all of your heart and soul into it! and they're just recordings! i can't even imagine a live concert! anyways..i appreciate what you do whole heartedly! and i can't wait for your next album! and for some more blogs! this is like one of those time you wish you could be friends with the artist. ever have time respond via curry9109@gmail.com understandable if not. oh...and i agree with the comment before mine. you need to write a book! lol. cya. ~B.
I always listen to your songs while flying to see clients. I must say hearing the lyrics with my headphones gets my praise even higher...somehow that only happens while in flight. I know its because I love the Lord so much that tears begin to flow. Usually no one notices that a grown man of 42 would be crying while listening to songs about God but they have made me reflect deeply on my walk with Christ
I just wanted to make a comment about your website and the fact that you actually put up your chord charts for everyone to use. It is nice to meet a fellow musician who believes that you can not own music. Yes the ideas are ours as creators, but the song is really owned by whoever is playing it and even more so by those listening to it. So many musicians (even Christian musicians) have made it difficult to get copies of their worship songs online. I truly and honestly appreciate your gift of putting the chords on your site. Thank you for making it easier for me to share what you have created and making it easier for me to glorify God in the process!
Those are certainly hard words coming from Jesus, almost like when I read when he says "Depart from me, I never knew you". Words like that scare me. I feel I'm constantly assesing my relationship with Christ. I'm aware of my own sinfulness and shortcomings alot.
Where I'm at it doesn't seem like there's alot of preaching about the love relationship we should have with God. There is alot of "try a little harder, do a little better, make sure you look good so people know you're a good Christian and you don't blow your witness". I think our becoming better comes with finding that love relationship, and I agree when we neglect our first love, Jesus, we need to hear those hard words, those words that tear into our very being. That we have neglected the one who loves us most. I've been trying to remind folks of that lately when I'm leading worship, that we need to constantly thirst and desire for God, that a little is not enough. How can you be satisfied with just a little of God's love? He's got so much more to give! So seek him and drown in his loving waters of refreshing.
My daughter actually introduced me to you, by posting your blog on facebook. I had just spoke on this from a slightly different perspective, on a sunday morning in April 09. From a different perspective, I suspect because of the different parts of the body, but when they come together, such a greater understanding of the heart of our heavenly Father, thankyou so much for writing truth.