Skip to main content

Wide Angle

I recently went through a series of courses on an approach to life. It was a way of thinking and communicating. One of the concepts that stuck with me was about perspective.  

We all have a view of the world around us. Many times it is focused on the things that make an immediate impact to us. Our jobs, or families, the bills we have to pay, that guy that just cut us off. These things take center stage. We place ourselves at the center with this lense. It is narrow and hyper-focused.

Many times when I drove to work I'd arrive at a particular intersection. More often than not, I was focused on getting through the light or simply focused on the car in front of me. My lense was specific and narrow. I was so intent, I couldn't see the beautiful blue sky or the trees that I had seen grow from saplings to mature shade trees. Beyond my narrow angle was a wide angle lens filled with God's beauty and joy.  

Shift your perspective and take a wide angle view. You no longer get lost in the minutiae of the day but now blown away by the glory of God's creation. It won’t take our problems and challenges away, but it sure shifts perspective. Joy has a way of washing over us with a wide angle lens. 

Psalm 96 11-12 says, "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy."

All of God's creation was built for beauty and joy. Don’t miss it with a narrow lens. We have made for more. Zoom out and get a better view. God's beauty and joy is on full display through His creation. 

Be blessed and be a blessing
Matt

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Right In Front of Me

There is one character in the story of the night of Jesus' arrest that sticks out. He seems insignificant to what is happening. He’s almost an interruption in the story. He is only mentioned by name in one of the four gospels, even though the description of what occurred is in all four gospels.  Malchus is his name. He works for the people who want Jesus dead. His job, with his compadres, is to seize Jesus and bring him back to the high priest. There he would be subject to questioning, a trial of sorts.  As Malchus and his posse are approaching, Peter takes action to protect Jesus. “With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear” (Matthew 26:51). Jesus immediately tells Peter and the rest of his disciples to stop with the violence.  I wonder what Malchus thought at this point. I imagine his was in shock, I would guess he was surprised. He had just been attacked and surely is bleeding ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Glow Differently

I saw this quote recently, “You glow differently when your confidence is fueled by belief in yourself instead of validation from others.” I found myself wrestling with it. I completely agree with the concept that the validation of my worth is not established by the thoughts of others. While I think a positive self image is important, I do not think that it is what really makes me “glow differently.” I hope I glow differently because of whom I believe in, rather than what I believe of myself.  The author of Titus says, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) . Love and kindness entered the world in the form of a m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Grits

This past Saturday I got the chance to catch up with my friend at breakfast. We connected months ago over grits, of all things. I learned he really didn't care for grits. Turns out his parents used to make him eat them quite often and in many forms. As he has grown older he's made the conscious decision, he's had enough grits for a lifetime. On the other hand, I really enjoy grits. They are a wonderful breakfast food with butter, salt, and pepper. For dinner, you can't beat some good shrimp and grits. I have a recipe for jambalaya grits that will put a smile on anyone's face. It is like jambalaya meets cheese grits. Yum! My friend and I joke about grits everytime we see each other. I offer him some and he politely refuses. Of course, I respect his wishes and don't give him any grits. How do you offer someone grits? Do you insist they eat and like them because you eat them? Do you put them on their plate anyway? Do you treat them differently bec...
Post a Comment
Read more