Perspective Changes Everything

​Sitting on a big comfortable sofa in a large living room, I leaned forward listening to my brave friend’s story. A refugee, recently displaced because of a torrent of religious persecution, she was talking about her brief day in jail.

​As I, along with others in the room, voiced empathy, she smiled and replied matter of factly, “Oh no! Don’t be sorry! God needed me in jail that day because there were people there who needed to hear about Him!”
 
In a culture that can often be so self focused, this perspective was mind shifting for me. What if I began to see my life, both the good and the bad, as God moving me into the places where He wants me to bring His love and truth?

Since that day, I have heard so many stories. Perhaps, I had heard them before but not really heard them?
 

• A cancer patient learning to look up in the midst of her own grief and truly see the other downtrodden and fearful faces in the waiting room.
  
• A young widow whose husband had a tragic mountain fall, wading in her own grief but offering a hand of hope to others who are drowning - understanding what they are going through, but no longer overcome.
  
• A young mother in the middle of her own exhausting years of raising littles, reaching out to another harried mom at the grocery store.
  
• A woman determined to make her home the neighborhood family room by reaching out to one neighbor at a time, taking time to help and resisting the urge to keep to herself because it is easier.

 
So many stories.
 
I realized these women had a perspective not unlike Paul.
 
Paul, a hero to many, endured much during his lifetime but always seemed to respond in joy. It was almost as if he sailed above it all. In Acts 23, the secret to his joy becomes apparent. He was living according to God’s story.
 
Imprisoned for years and brought in front of many leaders, he shared his testimony over and over again and often to big crowds of influential people. A glimpse into how Paul saw his life can be found in Acts 23:11, ‘The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.'"
 
The truth was revealed! God was using Paul’s imprisonment to give him opportunities to testify and bring the Gospel where it would not have gone. Paul’s small story was difficult, inconvenient, hard and full of physical and emotional pain, but through the lens of the larger story he could see the eternal impact.
 
What if we began to see the hard circumstances in our lives as a place of opportunity? Maybe even the mundane moments we often find ourselves in actually have us strategically placed to display God’s love and hope to those around us. No matter what season of life we find ourselves, every day is an invitation to partner with God and what He is doing in the lives of those around us. We do not do this alone, because He has promised to be with us no matter what season we are in! May God give us the perspective to see our lives through His eyes.
 

Memory Verse: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

About the Author

Hi! My name is Wendy Gerdes and I currently live in Omaha, NE. I was born and raised in here. Except for seven years living in Florida, I have lived in Omaha my entire life. My husband John and I have been married for 21 years and have three boys and one girl ranging in age from 13 to 20. I am passionate about motherhood and love the creative work of partnering with God to help our kids develop into who He designed them to be! In my free time, I love to write, read and see friends. Dates with my husband and time with family are other favorite pastimes. I am most passionate about learning and writing about God's heart for us because when we see His heart for us, it truly changes everything! Connect with Wendy at www.wendygerdes.wordpress.com

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