A Heavenly Perspective

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)

If we want to live this life on earth well, we need to live with a heavenly perspective at the forefront of our minds. This world is not our home, and one day we will begin our eternity in heaven with Jesus. Therefore, while we are still here on this planet, there are three attitudes we need to have in order to keep a heavenly perspective.

First, we must have the attitude that our God reigns over everything. He has a purpose in everything that we are going through right now. He is giving us a glimpse of the future. If you are distressed over what you are seeing every time you turn on the television, and you are seeing bad news on the Internet, “Stop watching television and the Internet!”

Don’t believe all of the fodder from television commentators who focus on chaotic events that they want to make newsworthy. Instead, we need to be focused on God being in charge of everything; He is in control. This is a perspective that you desperately need to have, especially when your life seems to be out of control.

If there are things happening in your life that you can't change, just understand that God reigns! If it seems like you are helpless, remember that “Our God reigns!” You could be going through unbelievable pain right now, but the perspective you need to have is that God is in charge.

Second, we must have the attitude that we will thank God for everything. Most of us don't live in that state of Eucharisteo or thanksgiving. Instead, many people live in the state of complaining. We live with our membership on the “Board of Whining” about what we are experiencing. It takes us down as we focus on how bad and difficult things are. It literally drags us down and everyone around us, as well.

We are living self-absorbed and self-centered lives. When our only focus is on us, we want other people to feel what we are feeling. We want people to come to our “Pity Parties,” where we have sent out many invitations. On the contrary, God wants us to have the attitude that we will thank Him. He will use whatever He wants to destroy that self-absorbed life that we have. Instead, we must focus on thanking Him.

Finally, we must have the attitude that it is worth waiting for God’s best. As we know, waiting can get discouraging the longer we have to do it. If we have a heavenly perspective, we will seek God’s plan for our lives. Therefore, we must be patient (even when it isn’t easy), if we want to see His faithfulness bear fruit in us.