A Matter of Perspective

Years ago, I disagreed with my boss on a particular issue that fell within my realm of responsibility. I had done the research and realized his position was skewed because he did not know the facts.  So, I determined to enlist the help of a colleague who understood what was needed and had favor with our boss, explaining to my friend that the lack of information had created a false reality.  As I saw it, that had resulted in our boss simply having the wrong perspective on the issue.  My co-worker countered me by saying, “You must understand that perspective IS reality.”

Since then, I have seen that truth at work everywhere.  One of our sons at age 5 decided one morning, after eating oatmeal for three years, that he didn’t like it anymore.  He’s not eaten it since.  Also in the family, my politically active mother believed her party was right and justified in all its positions, no matter how flawed, and everything the opposing party did was evil; she conveniently ignored any good accomplished.  Perspective plays a huge role in the lack of grace extended between husbands and wives when one or both get stuck in preconceived ideas about the motivations driving each other’s behaviors.  The list is never ending and impacts every area of life, including our spirituality.

Jesus’ teaching ministry on Earth often covered the topic of sin.  To emphasize the critical importance of not cooperating with sin, in one of his teachings Jesus used a couple of drastic illustrations and concluded with curious words. “Everyone will be salted with fire. ⁵⁰ “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:49-50)  Jesus was intent on correcting man’s perspective of sin and his tendency to minimize it.  At the same time, He was communicating the fact that man would constantly be tested with fiery trials.

However, trials serve a vital purpose as James, brother of Jesus, further explains.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)  James flipped the perspective on trials from arduous crises that discourage and defeat us, to being valuable avenues of growth producing the salt of perseverance.  The process of becoming mature and complete in Him makes us salty.

So, trials provide the opportunities to learn more of God’s character and who we are in Him, or suffer the consequences of going it alone.  When we take our eyes off Jesus by focusing on the trial, we’re subject to being overwhelmed by the crisis.  In that case, our saltiness goes up in flames and the lesson of a previous trial has to be repeated.  I have found that to be strong motivation not to lose my saltiness.

The body of Christ becomes salty as we collectively pursue the maturity gained through trials, especially seizing the opportunity to see other people from Jesus’ perspective.  This is critical because our perspectives are unavoidably skewed by our own experiences.  Therefore, we must consciously reject the temptation to let our flawed perspectives become our reality.  Uniquely, Jesus’ lens is unconditional love that does not wink at sin, yet also does not participate in judgment (even though He is qualified).  Deferring to Jesus’ perspective simply means asking Him to enable us to see others through His eyes, followed by loving them with His heart.  This is one of the most enlightening and liberating experiences we can know, simply for the willingness to adjust our perspectives to align with His.  We gain His world and safeguard our souls.