As we finished painting our kitchen, my youngest son asked, “Think Mom will notice?” “Probably not,” I replied. We attentively waited her arrival from work. She came in the back door, walked straight through the kitchen, and did not notice the change. He and I were about to die laughing and of course she had no clue why. My wife after forty years as a nurse can spot a medical symptom across the room. She observes things I cannot see even after she points it out. However, when it comes to the house, her observation ability ends. It has become our family joke. Last week I repaired a tear in the linoleum in front of the stove, which had caused her to trip several times. It was three days before she noticed I had repaired it. I am not just picking on my wife, and I did ask her permission before writing this. It serves as an illustration that people observe things differently. My wife sees things I do not see and I see things she does not see.
Christians do not always see the world or the events taking place in their life as God does. Learning to see from God’s perspective is part of our Christian growth. Two factors influence our perception. Our natural man interprets what we observe in the world mainly by logic, learned skills, culture, and experience. We must also bear in mind the sinful nature, the possibility of delusions, and deception from Satan. Believers also have what we could call spiritual eyes or the spiritual man. Through our spiritual eyes, we learn to look at the world and life based on the Bible, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and faith. One example today is the chaos that is taking place on the earth. Those observing from a purely human perception, see doomsday approaching. Christians should see prophecy being fulfilled and the return of Jesus. The first observation brings fear, while the spiritual eyes bring hope.
Several examples of these two influences of perception stand out in the Bible. The King of Syria sent his army to capture Elisha. When his servant saw the troops surrounding the city of Dothan where they were staying, he panicked, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” Elisha, who saw from God’s perspective, comforted his servant. “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Ki 6:16). He calmly prayed the LORD would let his servants also see. His spiritual eyes were opened and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire sent from God. No harm came to Elisha or his servant.
When all the Israelite men saw Goliath, they retreated from him terrified. The army of Israel saw an undefeatable Philistine giant, but young David came along and saw an enemy he would strike down because the LORD would hand Goliath over to him. Because the battle was the LORD’s, David killed and beheaded this nine foot nine inch intimidator. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran (1 Sam 17:51). Now, Israel chased the Philistines and killed many.
Jesus was born, the incarnate God in flesh, yet only a few saw He was Messiah. The majority regarded Him as just another man. How we see Jesus is the key to how we view all of life. Do we see Him as the One who suffered and died for our sins and rose again with the gift of eternal life? Or do we just see another good man of history. Do we see Him as the only means of salvation and eternal life? Or do we see Him merely as one among many roads to heaven? Do we see Him dwelling in us through the person and power of the Holy Spirit? Or do we see Him as a distant God who has little to do with our lives? Do we see He has finished the work of salvation? Do we see the battle is the LORD’s?
James writes when we see various trials happening in our life that we should consider it a great joy. Our natural man cringes and thinks, “Oh Lord, not more trials!” Instead, our spiritual eyes should see an opportunity for faith to grow and to increase our endurance and maturity as a believer. When Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s home, all Martha could see was the overwhelming chore of preparation. Mary saw an opportunity to sit and learn at the feet of Jesus.
What do you see—giants, impossible situations, overwhelming circumstances, or just more trials? There are always two perspectives in life. If we see only through the natural, we will focus on the negative, the bad, and the impossible which will cause us to live in defeat. Instead, we should ask the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes, letting us see the positive, the good, the possibilities, and the opportunities.
SUSTAINING WORD FOR THE WEEK: You may not notice a newly painted room or repaired floor; that’s OK. But seeing life from God’s perspective brings hope, joy, and peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes.