Pastor's Blog: All In Your Perspective
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Earlier in my ministry I was introduced to the philosophy of how “Perception is reality.” Prior to that time, I thought reality was reality. Little did I know that not only is beauty in the eye of the beholder; so is everything else. Our interpretation of things colors our attitudes and our actions. That’s why it’s so important for us always to be checking our mindset lest we sabotage our own best interest.
The first of every year is a good time to embark on such a project and that is especially the case this year. 2020 was nothing like we thought it would be, and as it has finally come to an end, it’s left a bad taste in many mouths, one that we may not be able to get rid of until we find a way to replace it with something sweeter.
I’m offering some suggestions for how to do that in my new sermon series, which I’m beginning this Sunday. Running for seven Sundays, up to the first Sunday in Lent, I’m titling the series, “Seven ‘Ups’ for the New Year.” The reference to a soft drink that prides itself on defying conventional appearance and taste is not a coincidence. I fear that despair and disillusionment have set in upon too many souls and we need to take a contrarian approach to the coming year in order to escape their trap. Hence, I’m offering seven ways to turn your attention from a downward trajectory to one that promises much more possibility.
Here is the list of the sermons, titles, and major takeaways:
1/3 - “Wake Up” - Psalm 118:24
Big Idea: It’s a faithful choice to believe that this year will hold great promise.
1/10 - “Stand Up” - Matthew 5:10
Big Idea: If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.
1/17 - “Speak Up,” Deacon Ordination - 1 Peter 3:15-16
Big Idea: We must always be ready to tell others about our hope in Christ.
1/24 - “Clam Up” - Proverbs 19:20
Big Idea: If we can’t say something good about someone, it’s best not to say anything at all.
1/31 - “Look Up” - Hebrews 12:2-3
Big Idea: Turning our eyes upon Jesus gives us all the strength we need for everyday life.
2/7 - “Reach Up” - Colossians 3:1-3
Big Idea: The best things in life are ironically those that cannot be found anywhere on this earth.
2/14 - “Lift Up” - Romans 13:8
Big Idea: We best show our gratitude for Christ’s love by our love for others.
Frank Rivers is a black belt in the martial arts and he is also a freelance writer. Rivers uses his background in Karate and Aikido to show readers how successfully to negotiate the daily strife in their business and personal lives. In his most famous work, The Way of the Owl, Rivers uses the bearing and conduct of that particular bird of prey as a model for effectively handling conflict with poise and integrity. He believes that “we don’t see what we look at. We see what we look for. Expectation directs attention. We see what we expect to see. If you expect to see a friendly universe around you, you will probably see compassion, altruism, and good humor. If you expect a hostile universe, you will probably see violence, selfishness, and treachery. Anticipation distorts perception. Previewing distorts viewing.” My interpretation on Rivers’s take is simply that perception is reality.
Be that as it may, as people of faith who have our eyes upon the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus, we can live with joy and anticipation that tomorrow holds great promise. We can live with that sort of view because our faith assures us that God goes ahead of us into the future, paving the way for us to experience every measure of the favor He wills for us to know.
So, let’s not get down; instead, let’s get up, and let’s do so in every sense of the word. Turning our eyes, ears, hearts, and hands to heaven will deliver us from the despair in which too many today are mired and give us the perspective that is required to seize every opportunity to know God’s abundance in a way that makes “every day with Jesus sweeter than the day before.”
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption is drawing nigh” (Luke 21:28).