Perspective
Several times a week I take my dog Lady for a walk. We used to take long walks throughout the neighborhood in her younger years, but now she is approaching ten years old and we have had to shorten our journey. She is a red lab, very chill in nature, and literally my shadow whenever I am around. We basically take the same route when we walk, always turning left out of our street then off to the side streets to get off of Memorial. She knows the route… and yesterday, for the first time, I decided to take a right instead. When we got to the end of our street I turned right, she turned left , out of habit, at the corner as usual…. and I said Lady, “come on, today we are gonna go in reverse.” She continued to stand her ground on the sidewalk, staring me down, and now she was sitting as if to say…wrong way! She often times is not leashed because she stays so close but I began slowly walking further away and I guess she figured I better follow and she came running.
I have walked this route more times that I can count, well almost, but I have never walked it the reverse direction. And it was amazing to see how different things looked. I was seeing the same houses, the same yards, the same scenery but from such a different perspective. And God took it from there.
So often, we do the same things, follow the same routines, think the same thoughts, and that is when habits are formed that we live by. Life becomes automatic in response and thus results in “groundhog” days. (Remember that movie!) I am pretty sure that God’s offerings for us, through blessings and even trials are meant to have greater meaning, greater lessons, and greater glory than a mere “get through another day” approach. Living life God’s way takes some effort, desire and imagination to bust through the habits, and be willing to look at life, people, and our surroundings from a different perspective. HIS!!!
God is the creator of all things, right? So, if he, in his majestic and wondrous creativity, designed and created you and all that surrounds you, don’t you think he wants you and I to notice and be in awe of what he had done? If we are to change our perspective and look outside our boxed in views and judgments, we need to allow Christ to come along side us and constantly be a reminder of whom HE is and what He has done and what HE is doing.
We need to take the opportunity he has openly offered through His word to be our 'always present' companion and follow him. Everyday is a new day filled with God’s source of energy , strength, wisdom and guidance. It is there; before us and within us stored away in our hearts and minds. We just need to consciously bring it up to our front burner.
Ask yourself: “Today, do I continue to go along the same road of least resistance, or trust God to give me a desire and courage to seek new adventures?” If you and I are willing to step out of that comfort box, that we so comfortably hold tight to, and look at life through the lens of Christ, perspectives will change because our route will change. I wonder how many times I have sat resistantly on that sidewalk and tell God…wrong way; thinking this way is the way we are suppose to go, instead of listening to His whisper that says, come and follow me. (Matthew 4”19: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”)
I have learned through years passed, life is much richer when I acknowledge Christ and follow him…and though his paths are often unfamiliar I have learned to trust his call and always have found surprises to fill my heart along the way. For His blessings are infinite, and his unconditional love for us also has no bounds. If you ask,Christ will give you fresh and new perspectives. And if today you will make an effort to step out of the everyday routine of work, duties and calendars, and change your course even for a few minutes and do something, anything, different you will find God will adjust your perspective. He will give you a boost of unexpected joy and peace wherever you are in life and situations that are before you.
If you give Christ a little he will give you so much more. He will enlighten your path and bring joy and peace in the midst of whatever the world is throwing at you. Just trust God, it may be you who make the conscious decision to change your route and or it just might be God. He is with you either way, to guide you and give you direction and bless you as you journey on.
Dear Lord, Thank you for the blessing of knowing you and being invited to follow you wherever you lead me. Help me to discern your will and your calling and to courageously step out on unfamiliar terrotory when your given opportunity arises.
Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in; for his glory will shine through!
