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Perspective
Continuing on from my Pause 4 Thought last week in the theme of the letter 'P'
Perseverance last week
Perspective today
Who knows what's next
Perseverance last week
Perspective today
Who knows what's next
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STOP! look at the picture, what do you see?
Your answer will depend on your perspective. Some will say and be convinced and argue till they are blue in the face that it is a circle. Some will say and be convinced and argue that it is a square. Some, who have taken a step back, taken in the whole picture, looked at it from different perspectives will see what it really is, a cylindrical rod! Nothing like a square or circle. |
You see our views on situations and our opinions of people entirely depend on our perspectives, which are informed by our preferences, and yes by our prejudices.
Quite a few years ago I set up my Mum and Dad with separate word folders separated into decades for them to write their memories/stories as they came to mind. Mum started off really well, Dad just didn’t get going. I tried my hardest to get him to write his story, he just said he was ‘correcting’ Mum’s – typical of him! I said I wanted Mum’s perspective and also his perspective, after all there were 4 Gospels telling the same story of Jesus’ life, but from 4 separate perspectives and it isn’t until we read the whole account do we get the full picture. That is why I love the book “The Four Gospels as One” compiled by Wendy M. Hearn and published by Egon Publishers Ltd. It is all four gospels put together in chronological order and read as one book.
I have been thinking about this recently as it has come into focus for me the different reactions people have had to receiving the same information, you only have to look at the different newspaper headlines about the same story to see that. It has been the same with the corps letter recently sent out.
Our perspectives can be very tightly held, they can become dogma, and they can become very destructive and hurtful when expressed as fact when probably they have been formed from only one limited perspective. The phrase comes to mind: “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up!”
Many years ago, I was sent by my company for intensive 3 weeks training to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One of the weeks I was to be in the Customer Service department answering phone calls. It was a good training exercise, because you never knew what was coming down the line. My mentor was Ron. Ron was a veteran of Customer Service, he was also nearing retirement. Imagine my surprise to overhear him say to a caller “That’s because you’re ignorant.” The phone call must have taken a bit of a negative turn because for the next few minutes Ron was explaining that it was not meant as a slur, in the end Ron said: “Sir, there is no shame in being ignorant, ignorance can be fixed,……….stupid is forever.” That seemed to settle the conversation. I have used that phrase many times since, when doing training presentations for work. I too have been ignorant of a few things in my time! I am continually in the process of fixing it!!!! You learn something new every day, or at least you should. I just hope that I have an open enough mind to allow it to happen. I know that I have become a healthier, happier human being when I have allowed it to happen. Closed minds are very destructive, another phrase I have used at work comes to mind – “Your mind is like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set” we should not be of that mind.
I was reminded the other Sunday 2 weeks ago of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13: 9-12
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
The Apostle Paul has a lot to say on this subject, I have used a few passages.
The Territorial Commander’s words during his commissioning addressed to the cadets, now Lieutenants, applies equally to us. He used verses from Paul’s letter to the Colossians chapter 3, one of my favourite books in the New Testament – read the whole book in one sitting.
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
I also am trying to live by Paul’s words to the Philippians, Paul writes in Philippians 2: 1-5 and again in 4: 4-8
"2: 1-5 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,"
"4- 4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Quite a few years ago I set up my Mum and Dad with separate word folders separated into decades for them to write their memories/stories as they came to mind. Mum started off really well, Dad just didn’t get going. I tried my hardest to get him to write his story, he just said he was ‘correcting’ Mum’s – typical of him! I said I wanted Mum’s perspective and also his perspective, after all there were 4 Gospels telling the same story of Jesus’ life, but from 4 separate perspectives and it isn’t until we read the whole account do we get the full picture. That is why I love the book “The Four Gospels as One” compiled by Wendy M. Hearn and published by Egon Publishers Ltd. It is all four gospels put together in chronological order and read as one book.
I have been thinking about this recently as it has come into focus for me the different reactions people have had to receiving the same information, you only have to look at the different newspaper headlines about the same story to see that. It has been the same with the corps letter recently sent out.
Our perspectives can be very tightly held, they can become dogma, and they can become very destructive and hurtful when expressed as fact when probably they have been formed from only one limited perspective. The phrase comes to mind: “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up!”
Many years ago, I was sent by my company for intensive 3 weeks training to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One of the weeks I was to be in the Customer Service department answering phone calls. It was a good training exercise, because you never knew what was coming down the line. My mentor was Ron. Ron was a veteran of Customer Service, he was also nearing retirement. Imagine my surprise to overhear him say to a caller “That’s because you’re ignorant.” The phone call must have taken a bit of a negative turn because for the next few minutes Ron was explaining that it was not meant as a slur, in the end Ron said: “Sir, there is no shame in being ignorant, ignorance can be fixed,……….stupid is forever.” That seemed to settle the conversation. I have used that phrase many times since, when doing training presentations for work. I too have been ignorant of a few things in my time! I am continually in the process of fixing it!!!! You learn something new every day, or at least you should. I just hope that I have an open enough mind to allow it to happen. I know that I have become a healthier, happier human being when I have allowed it to happen. Closed minds are very destructive, another phrase I have used at work comes to mind – “Your mind is like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set” we should not be of that mind.
I was reminded the other Sunday 2 weeks ago of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13: 9-12
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
The Apostle Paul has a lot to say on this subject, I have used a few passages.
The Territorial Commander’s words during his commissioning addressed to the cadets, now Lieutenants, applies equally to us. He used verses from Paul’s letter to the Colossians chapter 3, one of my favourite books in the New Testament – read the whole book in one sitting.
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
I also am trying to live by Paul’s words to the Philippians, Paul writes in Philippians 2: 1-5 and again in 4: 4-8
"2: 1-5 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,"
"4- 4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
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I had a message from a member of our church family last week in which I was reminded about a litmus test which should guide me and all of us:
If Jesus was right next to me, would I say or write what I thought? If yes, then fine, if not, then don't. The truth is, that Jesus IS right next to me and you ALL THE TIME! My Gran, well before mobile phones, internet, Face Book, social media told me: "You cannot un-say it, you cannot un-write it. Only write down what you don't mind the world knowing." Look at the verse in the image, to paraphrase a well known saying: If we walk the walk, then we should talk the talk. |
Note: This series of 'Pause for Thought' started on Monday 4th May. To find these previous thoughts go to the Archive section of the website listed under the 'more.....' tab at the top of the page. On the 'Daily Pause for Thought' section of the website we will only keep 2 weeks of contributions before putting them into the Archive.
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