It's All About... Perspective

Let's be honest. This post is started mainly as a form of procrastination; I'm in Starbucks "studying" for a big test tomorrow. I've been sitting here, though. Watching people come in and out. Wondering if I'll pass or fail my test (since I'm writing this instead of studying, I'm guessing the latter. Whoops...!). And then I started thinking about everything else going on in my life.... stresses, commitments, meetings, grades, health, gas prices, AH! As my mind started whirling, this scripture popped in my head.
"And when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." _Psalm61:2

The fact is, this life is going to bring us troubles, stresses, and problems. Life is SO good. Filled with grace, love, laughing, football, chocolate, and sunny days. But that doesn't mean troubles don't come; and the truth is, they come often.

What's funny, is that this morning I was walking to class and just thinking about how the Lord truly is the most important thing in my life. I had the most calming peace, and was ready for anything life had to throw out me. My classes were still there. My rent was still due. And my iPod was still broken. But I didn't care, because my perspective was changed.

What's even funnier, is that not even 12 hours later, I'd forgotten that feeling. Somewhere between walking to my 9:10 class and drinking my coffee at 9:00 tonight, I had let the world suck the life out of me. Even though I am quick to lose this eternal perspective, as I grow to know the Lord more, the reality of his love calms me more and more.

The truth is, is that (believer or not) whether you want to admit it, this life is going to end. And what do you take with you? Can you take your grades? Your family? Your spouse?

No.

It's a hard thing to admit. It goes against our nature. But, once you get past the initial stage of accepting this bittersweet truth, something happens. You begin to feel free. Do you ever feel weighed down? Wondering what the point of your all your striving is?

As I begin to realize that my grade on this test tomorrow doesn't affect my eternity, I find freedom. I am not saying to become apathetic about things in the world. I try hard in school. I work hard and feel rewarded. I love my family, Starbucks, and football games. The Lord wants us to enjoy life- it is a gift. But what is your perspective? I encourage you to think about your life and how you respond to things. Don't let the world control you; but rather, live in the reality that this life is but a glimpse of what is to come. I hope that you aren't apathetic about the Lord and just floating through this life. Jesus is freedom. He is love. And He is REAL. By surrendering my life to Him, I have found freedom in this life and for eternity. I have joy in life, but am not weighed down by the stresses and so many face from striving to attain things that will one day fade. What's your perspective?

II Cor. 4:16-18:  “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”