PJ Vescovi

Today a war is waging for our heart, and much of the fight is happening right between you ears. Everyday, we take in information and images that we process and attempt and understand. From negative news, to fake news, to real life horror stories, life sometimes can be tough to take. Throw in the everyday challenges and trials of normal life, and the potential for a depressed outlook is very high.

So much of life is contingent on our perspective. 

Jesus constantly challenged his followers on HOW they saw. One day they were walking by a man who was born blind. His disciples saw the man, made a snap judgment, and asked Jesus “who sinned this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

They saw the man’s condition , but completely mis-interpreted its purpose in his life. Jesus quickly corrected them, and revealed that the only reason he was born blind was so God could get glory in his life, then miraculously healed him.

How often do we mis-interpret the events of our life? We condemn when we should encourage, complain when we should praise, and we assume when should pray.

Another interaction with his disciples led Jesus to exclaim “You have eyes, but you cannot perceive!”

In Ephesians 1:17,  Paul recites a powerful prayer that he is holding for his audience and he says……  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  having the eyes of your understanding enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might hat he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.

The words  “eyes of your understanding”  doesn’t depict a change in WHAT we see, but HOW we are seeing it.

The lens by which you see the events of life determines much of our peace and quality of life.

It always amazes me that two people can look at the exact same thing, yet see something completely different.

One will see a problem, the other an opportunity to make millions.

One will see failure, the other will see a lesson.

One will see judgement, the other will see mercy.

One will see inconvenience, the other will see providence.

I am blown away by the perception some people are graced with. Despite what difficulties they encounter, they  see their circumstances with such a heavenly perspective, that nothing fazes them or dilutes their faith.

Paul’s prayer was for “lightened”  vision. That their eyes would be fixed on an unseen God and his unseen Kingdom, rather than temporal circumstances. He desperately wanted them to know the hope and power that comes from having an eternal perspective.

The most powerful part of this verse, was that he was writing these words while  chained to a Roman guard, awaiting his own execution. What did he see, despite his situation, that allowed to still write with such passion and conviction?

Maybe he was seeing us, two thousand years in the future,  reading and being encouraged by these words. Maybe he was seeing the great things people would accomplish upon reading his amazing letters. Or maybe he was seeing a glimpse of forever in paradise with Jesus, and was determined to achieve internal victory in every moment. He understood that our lives are “living epistles” that are read by all men,  and was determined to live a life that spoke of God’s glory and grace.

Imagine if he let his temporal situation dictate his demeanor or effectiveness? What impact would that have had on history?

I’ll admit, that sometimes life just doesn’t seem to add up. It doesn’t look we are reaping what he have sown. I’ve been there, and if I am completely honest, have felt that way recently. But God reminded me that although I believe I’m not  reaping what I sowed , I am reaping from what I haven’t sowed. I am reaping mercy, forgiveness, grace and favor that I could have never earned.

Life in Jesus is about the reaping of things that He has sown, of which we are completely undeserving.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but I know that there are multiple interpretations. The enemy has an interpretation, aimed at robbing you of peace, joy and hope. You may have even been given some falsified evidence to support the lie. But if its true that “all things are working together for your good” and “God is for you and not against you” and “No weapon formed against you will prosper” then maybe your real problems is not your reality, but your perception.

God has a true interpretation, one that will give you the peace you need, the faith you lack, and the joy that will strengthen you. God’s perspective will help you see Him in every situation, and really be the light of the world.

I am praying today that your eyes are opened to His perspective and that you are filled with the hope and joy  he intends for you, in every circumstance.