I have a picture on my wall that I often look at and ponder the reality of how our perspective determines what we see. The picture shows two perspectives, it shows a coral reef from below the waterline and then transitions to above the waterline to reveal tropical coconut palms. Two different worlds coexisting side by side. I grew up on the coast, and from an early age developed a deep appreciation and even fascination for God’s creation, with a particular bent for all things coastal and sea life. I have looked at the ocean from above countless times, and have wondered what was going on beneath the surface of what I could see. If you have ever snorkeled or dived at a coral reef, the experience can be breathtaking as the colors and details of this underwater wonderland come into perspective.
Perspective. What we see above the ocean is vastly different to what we see below the ocean. Is this not the same for life in general. Our perspective from within, can be vastly different from our perspective from the outside. We hear or judge what we see from the outside, only to find a different reality from within. Think of joining a sporting club, a church, a school… you may hear good or bad, but the reality is typically different, maybe better, maybe worse, maybe just different to expectations, when you see the group/event from within. That old age saying, ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ can be a striking reality. Think of how the gospel is foolishness to those who do not believe.
Let’s go a step further, what do we really believe about God. Have our beliefs been developed from someone else’s opinion and experiences or our own? Are we believing from an outside perspective or from within. Are we orphans hoping our heavenly father will accept us, maybe if we do enough to please Him, or are we sons and daughters, fully adopted, operating out of the revelation that we fully grafted in to the family of God, fully loved, fully accepted??
In recent years the revelation of our true value became clear when I heard a simple but profound statement, ‘my value is based on the price paid for me… the very life of Jesus’. Many thanks to Ray Sturdivant at Mining the Truth for searching and sharing foundational and life changing truth that dispels the enemy’s lies. Jesus came in the flesh, lived, died, and rose again in victory for each and every one of us. Therefore we all have equal value, whether we believe it or not. When this truth truly becomes a revelation (a part of our beliefs), we can no longer look at others better or less than ourselves. It breaks the lies of comparison and competition that would tell us we need to strive or perform to be better or prove we are enough. Knowing my value allows me to rest in the peace and knowledge that the God of all the universe loves me and has good plans for my life.
