Perspective and perception is more vital than virtual. Is there beauty to be found in life as it is, rather than to search for life as we think it should be?

Reality is not necessarily real, when it is viewed through the lens of fantasy. We are often too quick to avoid that which we think must be be stepped over or around, than to readily engage that in to which we have already stepped.

As a Christian living in circumstances that “really stink” you may ask:

  • Is it true that God will provide a crown of beauty for ashes?

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
~ Isaiah 61:3 NIV

  • Can a way be found for streams in the desert should I follow the Lord there?

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

Much is mis-perceived when eyes no longer perceive; mis-took for lack of look. What has been virtually viewed as an obstacle, a delay, even a “valley of the shadow of death,” may actually be where God has placed you. It is there that the Lord vitally has something to show you, or use you to show others. You see (excuse the pun), it is not always about you!

It has been said, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Such is perception. It has also been said, “One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.” Such is perspective. I am certain both are expressions with which you can personally identify! Where you may differ from others is not the factual content of the subject matter, but the context in which the subject matter is found. To put it bluntly, a dunhill by any other name would still stink! For one it is a meager pile of waste, while for another it is a rich pile of fertilizer.

This begs the question: For you Christian, is there beauty to be found on the dunghill? Most assuredly the answer is “Yes,”not because you think there should be, but because there is. Why? The Christian engages fact with eyes of faith, and is able to see what others cannot.

How might your perception of God and perspective on Life need to change? Even if they do, what is vital for you may only be virtual for others. Other’s view of you, a disciple of Christ, may be mixed; the verdict still out. No one is really up to the context in which we are placed, but stand we must, for God is worthy of our trust and confidence in Him to rightly redeem the content for our growth and His glory.

To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
~ 2 Corinthians 2:16 NIV

—RWO/MAST