Week 9, Day 2: The Proper Perspective…

Today’s Reading:  Philippians 3:1-4:23

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

We have all probably heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  The difference is based on perspective.  Think about it.  What you may throw away because you don’t need it any more, another may take because it is just what they were looking for.  Perhaps you just couldn’t see a use for whatever you were throwing away.  Our perspective can change everything.  For example, you may have seen a picture like this:

Depending on your perspective, you can see either an old woman with her chin tucked down, or a young lady with her head turned away from you.

Religiously, we often have either an optimistic perspective, or a pessimistic perspective.  Our perspective may affect how we act, and how we take advantage of our opportunities.  This leads me to the thought I want to take a look at in Philippians chapter 1.  Paul had the proper perspective, and it was beneficial to the spreading of the gospel message.

In Philippians 1:12-17, Paul relates the fact that there were many people who were preaching the gospel, but for different purposes.  Some were preaching the gospel were only doing so from selfish ambitions, thinking they would be causing Paul more distress in his imprisonment.  Others preached for the right reasons.  Paul, if he approached the situation from one perspective could have become very discouraged.  He could have thought that these people were causing him so much trouble that he couldn’t possibly be successful in his work, especially while confined to prison.  He could have used this for an excuse to give up on his own work.  But, that is not the perspective that Paul had on the situation.  In Philippians 1:18, we can see what his perspective was!  It didn’t bother him that the preaching of some was causing him more distress.  He was happy with the idea that others were still hearing the gospel preached, and so souls were being saved!

How many of us would be able to keep our focus on the proper perspective?  How many of us would be able to make it, confined to prison, knowing that there were some outside who disliked us, and were doing things that were intended to cause us harm?  Paul was able to see the big picture, instead of selfishly looking only at himself.  He knew that he was only a small part of what God was accomplishing.  To him, the idea that the gospel was preached was of the utmost importance.  He continued to work where he could, and was thankful for the souls that were responding to the gospel message in other places.

Can we say that we have the proper perspective on life?  Do we lose perspective when things get difficult?  Or do we keep focused on our responsibilities and goals, no matter what life (and Satan) throw at us?

Popularity: 19% [?]