Is Perspective Really…Everything?!
Is Perspective Really…Everything?!
By Don Twobears
I was spending some time lately, with my Vision. I have had Cataract Surgery on my Left eye, my right eye is doing well…thus far. And I was sitting on our little porch, in our rocking chairs, with my Wife and Drinking our morning Coffee, enjoying the beautiful Texas Hill-Country Weather. The Trees out from us are absolutely Gorgeous, different shades of green and they are full. I couldn’t help myself, but to say, “Thank you Lord!” And then I began to notice so many other things to be thankful to the Lord for, like the cool breeze, clean water for Coffee, My Wife and her Wisdom and Company. And the flood didn’t stop there either and the next thing I knew I was saying “Thank you Lord, Thank you, Thank You”, over and over again. I still have my vision, I Love my Wife, as she still Loves me, my Kids next door are Healthy and happy. I couldn’t find anything to complain about, there never is anything to complain to the Lord about, HIS Love knows no end.
I got to thinking, why had I never known this realization before?! I must guess I was too busy…with Life and all it’s needs. Back in those years, in the Work-Life, I was hard-pressed to be anything other than “Nose to the Grind-Stone” and I was not always happy or Grateful. In those days, I was so blinded by work, our income or School, the hours, because there is always many needs in the Medical Field. Life and Medical needs never cease for the sick. Yet I should have Thanked the Lord, for all of it, how much happier would I have been?
Narrow Perspectives! That was all there was for me, at that time. I spent little time, enjoying simple things like a Breeze, clean Coffee, the Love of my Wife…Like I should have. The Medical Field is very demanding of time, so much knowledge must be available. I worked so many hours in over-time, far too many hours at work, instead of with my Family, missing special occasions, Birthdays, Anniversaries and the Like. And as I look back, it is simply a blur of activity. So now that I am retired, I often ask myself, was it all worth it?
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
How many days were there, when I didn’t get any rest, sometimes 22-24 hours straight at work. Coming home ‘Dragging-butt’ and then sleeping till I had to get up and do it all over again. Wishing desperately for some real Down-Time and Peace. We often had to come home from Vacation a day early, so that we could rest-up before going back to work, imagine that! Having to rest-up from Vacation! We would rush through Vacation, Sleep-in, what was that?! I get tired just thinking back about it all! Just rush, rush and then more rushing! Nowadays, I get to watch my Kids do the exact same things my Wife and I did. My mission is to get them to relax and enjoy everything, instead of rushing all the time. It would appear, this is falling on Deaf ears.
Did you notice in the passage above, “I will give you rest?”
That is what I have now and something I should have sought back then! Our lives are not suppose to be all about rushing, working and all that goes along with that. It is true, “If a man does not work, neither should he eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”
Ooops! Someone is going to be offended by that Passage of Scripture. So then the question is, How much should we work. My answer is, if it takes away from Family continually, if it keeps you from the Lord, if it takes up all your thoughts…then find something else to do. Notice I did not say…Quit! If your Work-Life is a drudgery, your life will reflect that. If your Work-Life robs you of Happiness, then your Life will lack happiness and you will need to change. How many love their Jobs and have a full life as well…FEW! There’s that 3 letter word again. Powerful ain’t it?
If you recall from many of my Previous articles, this life is about coming to the Lord Jesus Christ. Is there anywhere, that says our work, liked or not, must come first?! It says the Lord comes first, in all things! Wow! What a concept…right?!
Work should be a gift! It keeps us focused and moving forward, sharp-minded and mold-able. It provides for us an income in our “Golden Years.” (For some of us) During those years we are young and able to do what is needed, but it should be for the Lord in every step…First! I am Thankful to the Lord for my Good Health as I turn 67. Far too many are not in the same boat, as I. Somewhere along the way, we loose focus of what we should be working to accomplish, a Life governed by the Lord.
What would our lives be like, if we were to put the Lord first in everything?! Happier, more fulfilled, ya think? There’s that saying “Perspective is everything”, well it is everything, if the Lord is directing it…instead of us! The Bible tells us, the Lord knows everything, so why do we rely on our ideas?! It says the Lord knows our future, so why should we work so hard to make our own lives and futures. Is that not the recipe for disaster? Does the world and how it is running right now, not prove this to us?!
How odd is it…we are living in the “End of Days” and the Prophecies of the Word of God, are coming true before our eyes…and we still have not learned?!
Prosperity and feeling good about ourselves, seems to be prevalent today. I know of people that worked their Butts off everyday and then had a Heart Attack or a stroke…in their first year of Retirement. Do you think that maybe their perspective for Life was wrong? That’s a logical question…right?! Those that I knew, were not always happy with the direction of their lives, yet they doggedly went about the life they thought was paramount. And yet the Bible, tells us that our lives should be for the Lord God…first and always! What would they be like, had that been the case from the beginning? Would your life be different as well?
I hate to speculate anything, I prefer “knowing!” Yet for humans here on earth, that’s impossible! So, we endeavor to live our lives, the best way we know. The Holy Word of God tells us the Lord “knows” the future of every single person. That being the case, wouldn’t it be better to let HIM direct our lives?!
2 Corinthians 6:2 “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Think about that! Your in an Airplane and the Rapture takes place, the people in the cockpit vanish, will you have the presence of mind to accept Salvation through Jesus Christ, before you hit the ground?! I know, I know…truth be known, that will be someones true situation. Life is very short ya’ll!! Perspective is everything…right?! Reread the passage of Scripture above…one more time! Are you living your Life according to the Perfect Will of the Lord…or on your own?!
What would your everyday be like, if your perspective was the Lord…first and always?! The Lord wraps everything all up in one tight package, IF you accept HIS invitation. Will the cares of this world matter any more to you? Will your days change for the better or for the worse? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…right?! You want happiness and Peace…right? You purchase Insurance for when things go badly right? What about your Eternal Insurance?!
I don’t know about you, but since I have been saved, I am able to breath a whole lot better, sleep more soundly. Life is brighter, my view clearer, the colors more vibrant amd all I can say is “Thank You Lord” over and over again, because HIS Loves knows no bounds! Does the Lord make us happier in Life? I know HE has in mine! Some say, that is not what HE wants for us, their wrong and my Life proves it! My Perspective…ya’ll!
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
All Scripture comes from the King James version of the Bible
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