What is perspective? It is “a way of thinking about and understanding something” (per Britannica Dictionary), hopefully with a level head. With the hyperbole of the 24/7 news via a variety of platforms, busy-ness at work and craziness on the family calendar, it can be tough to keep a healthy perspective.
The evil one works to overwhelm men with the day-to-day and even create anxiety about what might be. In contrast, THE way of thinking about and understanding something is given throughout the Bible – Rebuke evil, embrace the blessings of this day and look forward to what will be. This is living under a biblical worldview, keeping perspective in this world.
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. Your every action must be done with love. – 1Corinthians 16:13. In this fourth week of the Pentecost challenge, we are 24 days in, just about half way through the journey. We put a wrap on Romans, and have moved through 1Corinthians and most of 2Corinthians. Paul has conveyed that the Lord knows the reasonings of the wise are meaningless (1Cor.3:20); He said to run from sexual immorality … your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit (6:18-19); In chapter 9 he added, we are to run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything … I discipline my body and bring it under strict control (9:24-25, 27); He provided clarity on what love is in this world. Love is patient, kind, does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, does not keep a record of wrongs. Finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails (13:4-8); And Paul introduced the concept of the first Adam being a living being and the last Adam being a life-giving Spirit (15:45). He gave those in Corinth, and us a way to think about and understand the Lord’s expectations for Christians in this world! In this passage, Paul gives a charge to men to be alert – the opposite of being distracted. Watch out for BUSY-ness. Stand firm in the faith – put the full armor of God on every day. He adds to act like a man – stay focused on the right priorities and lead as Christ led. Be strong – keep the proper perspective in this world, be strong and very courageous … do not turn to the right or to the left (Joshua 1:7). And every action must be done with love – love as Christ loved starting with loving your bride as Christ loved the Church. To keep perspective is to see beyond the immediate circumstances through the lens provided by the author and perfecter of our faith, Jesus the Christ. Live under a biblical worldview.
Time reading His word helps one keep perspective – Accept the Pentecost challenge and Keep Perspective:
- – Create a consistent 30-minute window of time each day;
- – Pray briefly for the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to God’s word;
- – Read three chapters of Scripture a day, Acts through Jude;
- – Write down a verse or two that resonates with you;
- – Close in prayer incorporating the passage written down.
Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and Your servant Paul. I confess I have been living under a secular worldview, allowing myself to be overwhelmed and anxious. Forgive me. I want to live and lead my family under a biblical worldview. Guide me through this Pentecost challenge and help me keep perspective in this world. That is the dad You call me to be, and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father keeps perspective by living and leading under a biblical worldview.
