Which lens do you see things through?
Thought: The lens through which we view the world determines what we see. Our outlook can determine our outcome.
Scripture: “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 MSG.
Insight: It has been said that most people either see everything in life as a miracle or nothing in life as a miracle. Through what lens do you see the World? That is a very important question to contemplate because it will determine not only what you see, but how you see it. When you look at the world, do you see lack or abundance? Beauty or chaos? Good or evil? Significance or desperation? One right answer or unlimited right answers? Do we see the beauty of God all around us, God in everything, or do we see the absence of God and the wickedness of mankind all around us? If we look at the world through a Godly lens, we will most likely find beauty in the smallest of places, places where others may not be looking. God doesn’t give us all the same answers, but He does expect us to grapple with the same questions. Where is God? He is all around us if you know where to look. You can find him in a kind word or deed, a rushing waterfall or a dalliance of natural beauty such as two little hummingbirds playing tag in the air. The possibilities are endless as there is beauty all around us. However, if we only listen to the media’s politically charged ranting or the hatred often found in social media narratives we may miss God’s beauty all together.
So, what lens do you see the world through? Hope and provision or scarcity and lack? Thriving abundance or a struggle for survival? Two totally different lenses through which to see the world, which will lead to two totally different perspectives and outcomes. The good news is we get to make the choice through which lens we see the World. No one else can make that decision for us. If we see it through the lens of God’s grand Creation, we are apt to feel more alive than we ever could have imagined! Much to my delight when I see life through this Godly lens, rather than bondage I feel immense freedom. Freedom even to see the beauty, once hidden, that is suddenly all around me. This world can be hard, and no one gets out of here unscathed. But we can make a choice of how we spend our time here. When we see God’s beauty all around us, miracles in every sunrise and sunset, the Universe working in supernatural balance and alignment, then we are much more likely to be happy people, who can help other people who may come across our path in life. On the other hand, angry people tend not to even think of how they can help others, but more so how they can merely survive another day in a doomed planet. So, which lens do you see the world through?
Prayer: Father God, give us the power of perspective and help us to see the world through the lens of your beauty in the creation that is all around us. Help us to be disciplined enough to look for you in every situation and every outcome. Help us to see endless right answers to the questions that inhibit us. We need your strength living in us and through us to accomplish better outcomes here on this earth. We pray for this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.