Change your position and you’ll change your perspective.
Have you ever noticed how differently things can look depending on where you stand? Standing on the outside of the church, this window looks obscure, having no particular meaning and reflecting only an image of the outside world. Step inside the church and the same window comes alive with color, depth and meaning.
Before I believed in God, I always felt like I was on the outside of the church looking in. Its beliefs seemed obscure to me, with no rationale or real meaning. People in the church reflected much of the outside world to me, and I often couldn’t see anything different in their lives.
Once I experienced the presence of God in my life, I found myself in a very different position. Only then could I understand the holiness of God, and see with clarity how the standards I had set for myself paled so dismally in comparison. Only then could I understand His love and mercy for us and how it can change the lives of those who turn to Him. Perhaps to the those on the outside, I may still seem to be the same person, reflecting much of the outside world. But on the inside, there was a miraculous change in my perspective, and in my heart. While I still pale in comparison to God’s holiness, I now see the much higher standard that He holds out for all of us. Day by day I find that I am less like the old me; less self-centered, less troubled by life’s worries, and no longer resentful of people and circumstances that didn’t fulfill my wants. With His help and guidance, day by day I find that I am more like He created us to be; more loving of others, at peace with life and thankful for the many blessings we have been given.
Sometimes what you see all depends on where you stand.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Matthew 13:15-16
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
Isaiah 7:9