A zoom-out perspective

Attitude over aptitude. This is of importance when it comes to language learning, and it came to the forefront these past few weeks as we went through some training on how to learn a second language. Maybe it all has to do with perspective. I may not feel I can learn another language, but if I believe I can (and pray a lot), I will be able to do it. If I have the perspective of why I’m doing it–to love the people we’re going to serve–then that might make all the difference.

Maybe a lot of things in life could benefit from some perspective shifting. I’m not talking about simply mind over matter-type stuff, but instead rooting out the things that are swirling around in our minds, exposing them, and then zooming out for the bigger picture of truth.

I’ve learned what a difference that can make as I relate to God. He is teaching me that He is so much bigger. Bigger than the blip of time that is today, bigger than the instant we can finally say, “we have plane tickets to Kenya,” bigger than all that goes on from now to then and everything after that too. When I fix my gaze only on what’s going on around me, I tend to see what’s missing or what’s wrong. I tend to focus on what I don’t understand. When I look at who God is, I see His magnificence, His all-sufficiency, His great faithfulness throughout the ages. I look at Him and my concerns seem to shrink. He made the universe. He holds it all together. When I zoom out and remember this perspective, it is a lot easier to see that the Lord can handle all the problems the world has to offer. He can handle my circumstances. I know He is working it all together for the good of those who love him.

This truth seems so simple, and yet so profound. If only my perspective could shift in everything. How I relate to people, how I pray for people, how I spend my time…eventually how I will learn Swahili 🙂 When I zoom out and get more of God’s perspective, I experience a transformation in my attitude and my heart. Jesus is on the throne. He’s always been there and He always will be. His timing is always perfect. His ways are always good. His love is always sure.