Perspectives

I recently went on vacation to see some of my loved ones, and also had the opportunity to visit Myrtle Beach and Virginia Beach.  As I stood at the shore and enjoyed squishing my toes into the sand while the waves repeatedly covered my feet and sank me down deeper and deeper, I thought about how beautiful and fun it is to enjoy this experience. I felt safe. I relaxed to the sound of the waves as we kept the sliding door open that night and heard the steady rhythm. My daughter and I admired the reflection of the moon on the water as we walked along the beach at night. We watched the sun rise over the water in the morning as the day dawned. Many were out along the beach already jogging.  At Virginia Beach I saw many barges afar off, three sizes that reminded me of the game Battleship!

But there was a realization that there is a whole other world underneath those waves. There are sharks and jellyfish to be cautious of. It gets very deep, and there are many creatures of the Sea, and some are slimy. There are undertows. As a personal preference, I would much rather be on the shore than in the ocean.

We can often have various perspectives of things.  To one the ocean is a means for making a living, such as deep sea fishermen. For some it’s a course for travel. To some it’s a bed of research. For some it’s a sport, such as surfing. To others it is a fearful thing full of salt and dangerous depths and hungry sharks. It all depends on what you want to get out of the experience, or what you need. What obstacles need to be overcome in order to embrace it? Do you even care or want to embrace it?

I was reading 1 Corinthians 1 this morning and came across this verse: “ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (vs. 18). Those are two very different perspectives! It goes on to say that God will destroy the wisdom of the wise; He has made foolish the wisdom of this world. Why would He do that? Vs. 21 says, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” They couldn’t see God as long as they were relying on their so-called wisdom. The Jews required signs, and Greeks sought after wisdom, perhaps puffing themselves up to feel better about themselves rather than finding truth. “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (vs. 23-25). It goes on to say that God has chosen the foolish, base and weak things of the world to confound the wise and the mighty, things that are despised so that we cannot boast and think highly of ourselves, but rather so we can glory in the Lord and give Him the rightful glory. He gives us His wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption, not because we are worthy but because He is glorious.

Just as I could miss all the beauty and wealth of the underworld of the Sea, thinking that my perspective of the ocean is all there is, or is all that is important, so people can miss the beauty and wealth of Scripture to make one truly wise. It saves souls from the destruction that is clearly warned of in its pages, and instructs for success and coping, as well as health and well being. It is the power of God!

What is your perspective on God, the Bible, and preaching? How do you view church? Is it something foolish, perhaps something you see as not good enough for you? Do you have a hard time humbling yourself in order to do things God’s way? He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). It’s confirmed in Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Just like “the last shall be first and the first shall be last” doesn’t make sense to a lot of people, especially those who work hard to climb the corporate ladder, those who know God realize that humility is the key to success, putting others first as a servant leader, which will in the end promote you and give honor to you. To those who know God, it is power.

What is your perspective? Have you taken the time to consider the wealth of knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word, and most of all the power to save, heal, and forward throttle your life based on the philosophy of Jesus Christ? Step one is to believe, but that’s not enough, as even the devils believe. You must accept and trust it by repenting of your sin and accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, as the One who loves you more than anyone else, and who paid the price for your sin debt so you can be free and safe from eternal punishment. What will you choose? Choose wisely.

Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”