Perspective: The Starting Point
Can you think of a situation you are facing that really concerns you? Finding a solution for that situation all starts with perspective.
Perspective vs. Perception
First, let’s define perspective and perception. You may think there is little difference between these words, but there is an important distinction that provides insight in how to focus in on God’s perspective of life. Perspective is the way we look at life that helps us make sense of it. Perspective is our worldview.
Perspective is the vantage point (either physical or mental) that enables you to see or know. It is the point of view that enables understanding. Our perspective is made up of core convictions which establish our point of view.
Perception is what we presently see or understand. It is the observation of life through the filter of our core convictions.
These two words actually represent different sides of the same coin. One way to think about these two words is as “eyes and sight” – one is the means and the other is the result.
Our physical perspective is affected by moving our bodies to a particular location that we believe offers a good vantage point for what we want to see. Once we are in position we merely focus our eyes on the object and then see.
In a similar way, we select a mental perspective by adopting core convictions about life. We assume these convictions are based on truth and reality. Once we have accepted this mental point of view, our thoughts about the issues of life are automatically directed to conclusions that are consistent with those core convictions. We can only see what is permitted by our core convictions. If the core convictions are wrong, then our conclusions about life will be wrong as well.
Our perceptions result in beliefs about rights, responsibilities, and values that we assume to be true and important. These beliefs then form the basis for our decisions. Finally, we make choices for our future based on these beliefs. Ultimately we live with the benefits or consequences from the decisions we have made.
There are things that God tells us in the Bible which we can’t verify through our senses. However, it is through the Holy Spirit in our lives and our belief in the trustworthiness of God that we accept what cannot be seen as real. The truth that we seek must be based on God’s truth and not our own perceptions of truth.
How often do we argue with someone because we disagree with their perception? We try to convince them that what we are seeing is right and what they are seeing is wrong. Actually, the problem isn’t one of wrong perception. It is the viewpoint or perspective that we should be trying to change instead. A change in perception will follow.
The way these principles build upon one another is reflected in the following diagram.
If we want to experience God’s best in life then we must first make sure that our core convictions are consistent with the truth He has revealed to us in the Bible. If we have the wrong perspective, everything else will be wrong all the way down the line. Perspective is critical.