Perspective
As a teacher, I can become pretty sad as summers come to a close for many reasons. It’s always difficult seeing summer time with my children come to an end knowing how busy the school year will be.
Then one evening before this school year began, I had one of those reminders come to my heart like I experience from time-to-time… it reminded me that I can either choose to focus on how sad I am that these things are coming to an end < OR > I can be thankful I’ve had such wonderful experiences this summer. I immediately went from pitying myself to overflowing with gratitude for my blessings.
I thought about that process that I went through in my mind: how I was able to change my perspective and how that totally affected the rest of my day. Because when I’m in a bad mood, my whole house is affected. Don’t believe me? I’m sure my husband and kiddos would quickly agree with me 😂 anyway, I digress, but that process is something I’ve experienced many, many times over the years. And I think that’s exactly what the Christian life is all about.
See, I think people who haven’t accepted Christ see Christians as people whose one goal in life is to follow a set of rules. And, honestly, a lot of Christians are of that mindset as well. But that’s totally missing the point.
I was able to experience that shift in perspective because of the Holy Spirit speaking to me. That might sound crazy to some, but when you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand just how real it is. I was also able to experience this because of what I have read in God’s Word. His Word is FILLED with reminders to count our blessings… not because God wants us to feel indebted to Him (Jesus paid our debts) but because He KNOWS that when we are counting our blessings, it’s hard to feel sad or mad; in fact, it’s a lot easier to be happy that way. And finally, I experienced that because of other Christians. My parents, Sunday School teachers, pastors have all poured this exact kind of lesson into me my whole life so that I can put it into practice.
Up to this point, I’ve said a lot of “I, me, my,” but this is available to EVERYONE. Ditching a bad attitude for gratitude is just one of so many examples of what Jesus can do for you. He has taken me from despair to sorrow, from shame to redemption, and so much more. And He can do the same for you.
See, for me, I have found fulfillment in my Christian walk by letting God lead me to the right choices, right attitudes, right actions. I never felt fulfilled when I tried to avoid the wrong things, to follow a set of rules. And I think God finds more joy when He is able to lead His children to the right path than when they are scared of making the wrong choice. That’s why the Bible says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Jesus also said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
The abundant life for me comes from those moments… when God’s Holy Spirit, Holy Word, and Holy people (the church) lead me to decisions that leave me feeling uplifted.
And I truly hope this long piece of my mind, of how I understand the Christian life, leaves others feeling uplifted as well.
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