Keeping a Prophetic Perspective in a Wonderful, Weird, Wired World
Perhaps the sky is falling, but I don't think so. Not yet. What there is, is a great big spiritual sky above us just waiting for us to take flight, catch a current and soar over our circumstances.
Perspective. It can mean the difference between life and death. Take, for example, Saul and David. Both became kings, but one trusted his own "perspective" and died an ignoble death failing to carry out his mission, while the other sought God's perspective and lived to see Israel become the nation God had called it to be.
One could argue the word "obedience" might be more apt—and Scriptural—but I deliberately use the word "perspective" (aka "sight") for good reason. Obedience begets perspective, and divine perspective is a "light unto our feet" in what would otherwise be a walk of blind faith. Amazing things happen when we gain a perspective outside the field of vision imposed on us by the world's pundits, prognosticators, and politicians; not to mention our own fears and insecurities. We see life from above, in an atmosphere of unspeakable peace and tranquility, focused, aware of dangers lurking around the next bend in the road, but also the avenues of escape to thwart them.
For the optimists among us, the last few weeks have felt a bit like being forced to sit ringside watching a cheesy, nasty professional wrestling match. Negativity, acrimony, and slander dominate the wired world. The "sky-is-falling" bandwagon is loaded to the gills, teetering with opportunists driven by political gain. As battle lines are being drawn in an election year hijacked by the press, even the crisis on Wall Street seems fair game for manipulators.
Perhaps the sky is falling, but I don't think so. Not yet. What there is, is a great big spiritual sky above us just waiting for us to take flight, catch a current and soar over our circumstances.
Granted, the perspective from ground-level seems hopeless at times. I'd be a liar if I said I haven't fretted about the future of this country these last few weeks. Wondered if we're looking at a repeat of the Great Depression. Wondered if God is—as our enemies love to gloat—pouring out overdue judgment on a wicked America. But I know this: Greed is universal, as is all sin. It is not a respecter of race, national identity, economic systems, or creed.
I also know that it won't be the internet, or a celebrity, or an intellectual that will announce the Coming of Christ. Every child of God will know the end is upon the earth because the Holy Spirit will tell them. Not Keith Olbermann, Rush Limbaugh, Bono, or Brad Pitt.
I believe the world is still a wonderful, redeemed creation greatly loved by God. His objective is that "none should perish," and for His beloved, though a thousand may fall at our side, ten thousand at our right hand, it [disaster] will not come near us. (Paraphrased, Psalm 91:7)
So, if I may be so bold, take heart. Don't capitulate to fear. Remember the love and mercy of God. Discover and follow His will for your life. Be thankful in all things and don't be ashamed of His favor and blessings. With God, all things are bright and beautiful.
