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:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do the Work

Sometimes I sit down to write and it just seems like I am trying to write with a pen without ink. There is simply nothing productive coming from the activity. Other times, God just pours it out on me. The ideas flow and the message comes together with ease. More often than not it's the former rather than the latter. It seems God likes to make us work for it. The ones I have to work a bit harder on become the ones I like the most. I think we appreciate the things we have to work for more than the things that come easy. Our LifeGroup recently read about the Miraculous Catch of Fish. You know the story where Peter and his buddies have been out fishing all night and came back to shore completely empty handed. That next morning, Jesus asks them to take him out in the boat. Once out on the water, He has them put the nets back down and they bring in loads and loads of fish. So many fish that two boats almost sank.  I guess Jesus could have just made the fish jump into th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome Children

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:1‭-‬5 NIV This past Sunday was simply life-giving at Westside Christian Church. The energy and excitement were palatable. My daughter couldn't wait to get to church. She was excited to worship with her friends and have fun together afterwards.   With the VBS takeover, the church was packed! Sure there were a few seats open, but there was a line of people standing in the back. It is safe to say it was "standing room only". Fitting with the story of Zacchaeus that Pastor Russ shared.   Jes...
Post a Comment
Read more