A Steady Perspective

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

“You’re going to want to put this on.” The tour guide handed me what looked like a water-repellent snowmobile suit, then, more suits in hand, moved toward the next couple.

Raising an eyebrow at Aaron as we donned our respective garments, I said, “How close are we planning to get to the whales? Is this going to be dangerous?”

My somewhat rhetorical question was answered soon enough as our small boat splashed through the trough of yet another larger-than-life ocean swell, leaving me a wet, salty mess. I clung to my bench as we navigated our way to a site where whales like to frolic.

As I clung, I considered two things: (1) ocean waves appear far tamer and milder when one is walking along the shore rather than hitting them head-on in a teeny, tiny boat, and (2) the beachfront cliffs looked minuscule from my vantage point on the ocean, though they towered above me each day (with accompanying signs warning of rockslide and sudden, erosive collapse) when I strolled along the sandy strip of beach where the tide ebbed and flowed.

My perspective on the strength of the ocean’s waves and the height of those sandstone cliffs shifted, based upon my proximity. With some distance, each was a beautiful vista, while up close, each felt unpredictable and dangerous under the right conditions.

I’m guilty of perspective shifting in my personal life as well: a task or situation feels harder (or easier) based on my emotions or the busyness of my schedule. Rather than allowing outside influences to determine whether (or how much) I have peace, joy, or contentment from moment to moment and day to day, I’m gratefully fixing my eyes toward the eternal, looking to build stability and consistency into my perspective based on the truth of Scripture and my assurance of God’s love.

There is no question that we will face challenging circumstances during our time on Earth; however, we can keep a steady perspective by focusing on unseen, eternal truths rather than allowing ourselves to be tossed to and fro by visible, temporary conditions.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

What unseen, eternal truths hold your perspective steady? Pick a verse or two to meditate on when events tempt you into perspective shifting.