06/20/2026
Going to cheat a bit on this last past and use something I wrote a while ago.
Perspective Matters
Most of us know that our worldview defines how we see everything around us. If our worldview is founded in Truth (the Bible), then our vision is certainly clearer, but it will never be perfect as long as we are on this side of heaven.
For those of you out there who, like me, require some optical aid to enable you to see clearly, the idea of ‘putting on your Bible glasses’ is easier to grasp. Without my glasses, I can make out outlines and colors, but you wouldn’t want me driving down the road without my glasses or contacts 😊.
The same is true regarding seeing the world through the lens of the Bible. When we fail to connect with God through His word, then our vision gets increasingly blurry, and the road signs that God provides to guide us look more like obstacles for us to avoid. Everything is distorted, much like this picture. Obviously, the lamp post in the picture is not anywhere near as tall as the Washington Monument, but because of the way I was looking at them, they seemed of equal stature. Perspective matters, and our perspective stems from our worldview, and our worldview stems from what we choose to let into our minds and hearts.
There is a song that talks about ‘rose-colored glasses.’ The chorus is “These rose-colored glasses that I’m looking through. Show only the beauty, because they hide all the truth.” I would like to submit to you that that is a most egregious statement. True beauty is only found in absolute Truth. Absolute Truth is only found in the Holy Word of God, and there is nothing in this world that is more beautiful than God’s word. The Bible is the ultimate story of redemption and reconciliation.
How do you perceive the world around you? Do you view the world through the lens of the Bible or of the world?
The Bible introduces us to a man named Saul, who by the world’s standards at the time was successful, important, and one of the greatest influencers of the First Century. He had it all: money, education, and status, and he was headed straight to the top. However, one day on a road to a city by the name of Damascus, he met the risen Christ, and from that moment on, he was transformed. His name was changed to Paul, and his heart was turned towards Christ. As a follower of Christ, Paul lost most of his worldly goods, but his perspective changed. He went from being great among his peers and enemy number one of first-century followers to a man who wrote most of the New Testament (and a great deal of that from jail) with joy, humility, contentment, and love. He went from being one of the greatest persecutors of the church - but then Christ - to becoming one of the greatest proclaimers of the gospel. His words have reached millions of people, centuries after his death.
The Bible also introduces us to another man named Judas. While Paul was only able to personally meet the resurrected Christ for a few moments, Judas had the privilege of doing life with Jesus on this earth for 3 years. Judas broke bread with Jesus, even reclining at the table with Him during the last supper, yet he is known as the greatest betrayer of all time. Judas went through the motions, but his heart was never truly transformed. More than likely, he viewed the Messiah as a warrior who was going to rescue the Jewish people from bo***ge (which He does, just not the way that Judas envisioned). Judas’ heart was full of selfish ambition and greed. He sought power, not servanthood. Before throwing stones at Judas, though, we must remember that we all have the inclination to be like him. We go to church, small group, sing in the choir, may even donate to the needy – but our hearts are not truly transformed.
We can spend our whole lives in church without ever truly meeting Jesus. We can also spend our whole lives making fun of the church and have an encounter with the resurrected Christ that puts our lives on a whole new trajectory.
Our perspective matters. Do we view Jesus as the Son of God who can set us free in the middle of a jail cell, or do we view him through the cloudy eyes of humanity that allows us to walk freely in the midst of fresh air and sunshine yet remain in bo***ge? Our perspective matters. Freedom has nothing to do with our physical circumstances and everything to do with the lens we view our world through.
So dear readers, I challenge you to choose today which lens you will use to view your world.
