A Word From Stephanie
Perspective
by Stephanie Williams
Perspective is a word that has become a treasure to me. The very word implies the fact that we are not all-knowing or all-seeing, and because of that, we must rely on the Lord to deal with what lies in our path each day. (This means we can relax–it’s okay for us all to have different perspectives! Whew!) It’s also about seeing things from a larger frame of reference.
In art, perspective is usually taught as a three dimensional concept on a 2 dimensional surface from one point of reference. But in reality, we know perspective is always shifting, the eye can be fooled, the perspective can change according to the slightest thing. In reality, we are not all standing in the same spot looking at the same scene. Sometimes we actually have to step away from where we are standing and look at God’s bigger picture to have clearer understanding. And even then, in his beautiful wisdom, God doesn’t always choose to reveal his perspective to us.
When we moved to Italy, I had a sense that we would discover the world as a much bigger place than we had imagined. As the Lord began to peel back the layers of what we had defined as “that world out there,” our perspectives were challenged. We begin to understand that the world revolves around so much more than our needs, but even in our tiny bubble, our needs are still of the utmost importance to God.
It’s easy to get caught up in our own perspectives instead of thinking like Jesus. I Corinthians 2:16 is a reminder that we do indeed “have the mind of Christ,” which frankly, blows my mind. It basically means that no matter how we see a circumstance, we have the capacity to think like Jesus and have his attitude. Romans 12:2 is a reminder that if we stop thinking like the world thinks, our minds can be transformed, and we can understand the will of God:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Colossians 3:1-3 is a reminder that we can set our mind on things above our situation and count on the fact that Jesus takes us beyond our daily life and straight to the heart of God:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God: Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
COVID 19 was a big whammy for all of us. Everyone’s perspective of it has been different. But the one perspective that is unchanging is that God is for us, the enemy can’t stand against him, and praise will shut down fear. In the middle of chaos, I have been able to find the most amazing peace and joy because I choose the perspective of the mind of Christ. Everyone’s experience is different, as it should be. God is working in our lives in many ways, accomplishing his work through varying perspectives. But the one thing we all have in common is that we can choose to be transformed, we can choose to have our mind renewed, we can choose to worship the confusion and frustration right out the door.
Just after Christmas, I had what felt like a huge “wedge” in my spiritual life that was so confusing. I couldn’t really figure out where it was coming from. We had returned to Rome, I had a lot of work to do and then I was sick for two whole months before we got news of Coronavirus. I knew God was trying to tell me something, but honestly I just kept pushing it away. I was looking at my life through my own perspective and not his. As COVID 19 began to completely unravel Italy and every normal thing we knew, an amazing thing happened. The whole world shut down, the busyness stopped, the only sounds I could hear were those of nature. In that stillness, the Lord also began to unravel me in the best possible way. Taking on the mind of Christ isn’t necessarily an earth shattering, Marvel movie moment, it is simply letting the sweetness of Jesus untangle the mess, so you can slowly begin to see the world differently.
I’ve seen lots of circles, lots of wheels, lots of portals during this time. I’ve seen things moving in and out of doors and bridges that go to who-knows-where. I still don’t know what it all means, nor do I have to. I can rest in knowing that God’s perspective is much better than mine, and as long as I’m willing to accept that, I will be okay.