A God's Eye Perspective

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” - Matthew 13:44

Someone once asked me if I look at life through my own eyes or do I like the view looking over the shoulder of God? What perspective or presuppositions do we have when we read Scripture, grow relationships, think about the church, or minister to others? Do you view life from your own perspective or do you see it as God sees it?

In Luke 18 & 19 we see three stories about perspective. A rich young ruler who was trying to earn or do what was needed to enter the kingdom of God is the first one. All his self-righteousness meant nothing, what Jesus was offering was something he couldn’t see the value in because his eyes were fixed on earthly things. He held tightly to his wealth, possessions, and status which cost him eternal riches. Next week see the blind beggar and Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” After asking for sight he was healed and God was glorified. The question still lingers though, did the blind beggar have the right perspective? His primary concern was his physical need of sight, although he recognized Jesus as God the greater spiritual need took a secondary position. In the third story we Jesus’s encounter with Zacchaeus. He had a God’s eye perspective, he recognized who Jesus was, what he represented, and was willing to give up everything and follow him. What ever Jesus wanted him to do he was willing to do it.

Is that true of you? Which one of these stories most represents your life? Are you holding on to the things of this world so tightly that it is keeping you from God? Maybe you are so focused on your physical needs (or wants) that you have become totally ignorant to your spiritual need. My prayer is that you would be like Zacchaeus. That you would realize Jesus Christ is worthy and deserves everything. When Zacchaeus encountered the love and grace of Jesus he responded with a God’s eye perspective. How are you responding?

“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” - Luke 19:8

Further Reading: Luke 18 & 19

Where is Your Mind Looking?

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
- Colossians 3:2

Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home. - C. S. Lewis

Do you ever feel like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde? There is this tension inside of you. Paul shows us the internal battle in Romans 7. There is this tension inside of us to make Godly choices but somehow we find ourselves making bad choices. He says it is because of the sin that dwells inside of us. This sin and our fallen flesh constantly lead us to focus on ourselves, to keep our eyes off of Jesus, and ultimately have our minds set on things of this earth.

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”
- C.S. Lewis

We need a mind that is set on things above, an eternal perspective. As we read in Colossians 3 we are to put to death what is earthly in us, to put on a mind that is set on things above. Do you realize the eternal impact you can have right now? Do you know that this life is not about you? It is about a an awesome God who is redeeming people and he wants to use you! Will you pray for an eternal perspective? Will you set your mind on things above? No matter what you’ve done will keep you from being ineffective for the kingdom of God if you surrender your will to him. We need a constant realignment, a mind, heart, and soul that is focused on an eternal kingdom instead of an earthly one. Can you imagine that? What if everyone in your Church had this mind? What impact would you have? It starts with you, God wants to use you, will you look to the eternal with your mind?

Further Reading: Colossians 3, Romans 7