Literature Ministries International


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September 4, 2019

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WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE?

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Very seldom do we stop long enough in our “fast-forward” pace, to ask ourselves the simple yet penetrating question…“What in the world am I living for?" Such an introspective accounting jars our perspective of life! Life is uncertain, brief, we have no promise of tomorrow. This song rings so true…“We have this moment to hold in our hand, and it sifts through our fingers like sand. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come, we have this moment today.”

We seek first…“these things”…and then hope for the kingdom of heaven. When Jesus Christ is the “priority” of our life…when HE is Lord and Sovereign…then we will turn from the shallow superficial allurements of the world that rob us of His presence and power. When HE is our authority, our “perspective of life” will be subject to, and in line with, His will, plan, and purpose for our life…a perspective with eternal values in view.

I was very impressed with an email that someone sent me that brings out so forcibly what we’re thinking about in these few words. See if it speaks to your heart as it did mine.

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son to the country, with the firm purpose of showing him how “poor people” live. They spent a couple of days on a farm far from their home, with a family of what would be considered very poor. Returning from their trip, the father called his son into his study and asked, “Well, what did you think of our trip?” “It was great, Dad.” “Did you get a good idea how 'poor people' live?” he asked.

After a few brief moments the son answered: “I saw that we have one dog, and they have four. We have a swimming pool that reaches to the middle of our garden; they have a mountain stream that has no end. We have lanterns in our formal garden; they have the countless stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard; they have the whole horizon of rolling hills. We have a small piece of land to live on; they have meadows and fields that go beyond their sight. We have servants to serve us; but they find great joy in serving others. We buy our food at the supermarket; but they grow theirs in abundance. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have loving friends to protect them. We trust in the amount of money we have in the bank; they entrust their lives to Almighty God!” The father was speechless. Then the son added, “Thanks Dad, for showing me how 'poor' we are."

Isn’t the “right perspective” a life-changing thing! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived in appreciation of, and gave thanks for, everything we have, instead of striving for what we don’t have, don’t need, and can’t afford.

So often, we let pass by the most meaningful and precious things in life! We take so many things for granted, not recognizing that we have been so graciously blessed of God. May we invest our life each day in meaningful pursuits…reaching out to others who need our compassion, care, and love…being an encouragement to those whose hearts are hurting but even more, letting them know GOD LOVES AND CARES FOR THEM! Let Christ live HIS LIFE in and through you. The choice is yours!

© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.


This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2019-09-04


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