My second child, Isabelle, just turned 5 last week. Abigayle, my 2 year old, thinks it's her birthday because it's Sissy's birthday. At lunch we were reminding her that her birthday is next month.
Garrett mentioned my birthday was after his.
"She's going to be 30," he said.
in the face. "Are you going to 
?"It's amazing the conclusions we can draw through our own experience-colored lenses. In Isabelle's experience, old people die. Thirty is old, therefore, I'm going to die
.
.I once had a professor describe reality
through the eyes of his cat. He said, as far as his cat knows, his car only goes to the vet, because every time it has been in the car, it went to the vet. So, every time this professor got in the car, according to his cat, he must be going to the vet.
through the eyes of his cat. He said, as far as his cat knows, his car only goes to the vet, because every time it has been in the car, it went to the vet. So, every time this professor got in the car, according to his cat, he must be going to the vet.Our counselor
a few years ago used to say, "There is your version of what happened, and there is your version, and then there is what actually happened."
a few years ago used to say, "There is your version of what happened, and there is your version, and then there is what actually happened."If we live
our lives based solely on the information of our limited perspective
, there are several ways we can be injured by it.
our lives based solely on the information of our limited perspective, there are several ways we can be injured by it.If we don't access additional information with those we are in relationship
with, we could very falsely assume
we know what motivates
their behavior
.
with, we could very falsely assume we know what motivates their behavior. If we live out of our experiences
in the physical world around me, we could completely miss out on everything spiritual
and eternal
that exists. The unseen is where we are to find our hope
.
in the physical world around me, we could completely miss out on everything spiritual and eternal that exists. The unseen is where we are to find our hope."While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor. 4:18)
If we limit God
to our understanding
of Him, and limit our circumstances
to our understanding
, we'll miss the opportunity
to trust God
, to grow in Him, and to see Him work.
to our understanding of Him, and limit our circumstances to our understanding, we'll miss the opportunity to trust God, to grow in Him, and to see Him work."'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD
. 'For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" (Is. 55:8-9)
. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" (Is. 55:8-9)If we acknowledge
how minute and skewed our angle of reality
is and can be, He can open our eyes to an eternal perspective
to see others, the world, and our circumstances
as He does.
how minute and skewed our angle of reality is and can be, He can open our eyes to an eternal perspective to see others, the world, and our circumstances as He does.MEDITATE ON IT
What are some ways relying on your limited perspective
has gotten you in trouble? What could have been done differently to avoid it?How can you seek out information beyond your perspective
in your relationships
, the unseen, and trusting
God
?What would be different if you allowed God
to expand your perspective
of reality
? PRAY ABOUT IT
Father, thank You that Your ways are not our ways, and Your thoughts, not our thoughts. Thank You that our wisdom
if foolishness to You because of the vastness of Your wisdom
. Thank You for Your patience and kindness
towards us as we are such an unbelieving people. Forgive
us for limiting You in our lives by accepting
only that which we can see and understand
ourselves. Forgive
us for damaging our relationships by assuming our perspective
is reality. Open our eyes to Your reality
. Open our eyes to Your eternal perspective. Allow us to live beyond ourselves. LIVE IN IT
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God
." (1 Corinthians 3:19)"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know!" (Job 38:4-5)
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God
has prepared for those who love
Him." (1 Corinthians
2:9)