The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Perspective"
If we look into the sky and see a commercial airplane flying at normal cruising speed (500-600 mph), it appears to be moving swiftly, but at a pace we can somewhat comprehend. However, if it were possible for that plane to fly by us near ground level at the same speed, it would appear as little more than a blur as it passed by. This reveals the importance of perspective in physical terms, which is even more important regarding the spiritual realities of God and His involved presence in creation, and in our lives.
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24).
Appearances can at times reveal and confirm reality. Sometimes, however, they deceive and mislead us. Consider a torn, battered, dying man hanging on a Roman cross long ago. Few had any notion that the Creator of all things occupied the device of execution that far more served as the means of redemption for all who throughout history would see beyond appearance unto "God… reconciling the world unto Himself" (II Corinthians 5:19). Indeed, one cannot be saved apart from such faith whereby we determine to "judge not according to the appearance." Nor can one live the Christian life without consistently making the same determination.
Where might opportunity for such perspective presently exist in our lives? Are there matters we see only as surface realities, and have yet to look into the depths wherein "God worketh all things after the counsel of His own will?" (Ephesians 1:11). Have we heeded Solomon's mandate - "in all thy ways acknowledge Him" - or might there be matters we have yet to view in terms of "righteous judgment?" (Proverbs 3:6). The privilege and the challenge of such perspective based on God and His Word lie ever before us. "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17). God's trusting sons and daughters in Christ must make daily determinations to see by faith the presence, involvement, and working of our Lord in all things. "I will look for Him" (Isaiah 8:17).
Looking into the sky and seeing from the ground yield entirely difference evaluations of a rapidly moving jetliner. The illustration is obvious. Which will be our chosen perspective regarding the matters of our lives in this present earthly sojourn? About the matters presently at hand? Will we focus on the Heavenly or the earthly? The Apostle Paul long ago answered for himself and his believing contemporaries. Let us join them in our day…
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
(II Corinthians 4:16-18)
Weekly Memory Verse
Pray without ceasing.
(I Thessalonians 5:17)
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