It's All a Matter of Perspective

Photo taken by Super_Nate

Isn't this a beautiful view? I was very privileged to see this panorama a few weeks ago when a college student friend of mine and I spent the day geocaching in a town about thirty miles north of Chattanooga. We had a grand time together, and in our twelve-hour trip I was able to find sixty more geocaches!

While signing my name on a few more caches was fun, the real memories that I'll take from this trip is the journey. Nothing can ever compare to the places we went, or the sights we saw (see above picture for excellent example!). This trip helped me realize even more that geocaching is not so much about finding a cache, although that is fun. It is about enjoying the journey, and exploring new places that you've never been before.

The above picture was taken in the Sequatchie Valley, which is (as you can see) a prime spot for hang gliders. Actually, this shot was taken right from where the hang gliders take off! Towards the right in the shot you can see a big wooden structure, which happens to be the perch from which the hang gliders launch off into the wild blue yonder. My friend (Super_Nate, who has very kindly let me use his picture) and I just happened to pick the right time and day to be there--and the picture doesn't do it half justice! I don't think I've ever seen a more breathtaking sight. Standing upon the tallest mountain and looking 2,000 feet into the valley--wow, it was so wonderful that I can't even start to truly share this experience!

Finally, after several pictures were taken, Super_Nate and I peeled ourselves away and descended into the valley. What was interesting was the difference between being on the mountain and being in the valley. On the mountain, it seemed like we could see forever! In the valley, sure, we could see the mountains but seemed to be much more caught up with the cares of day-to-day life. We had changed our perspective, and that made all the difference.

An oft-forgotten Bible story comes to mind when I think about perspective. It happened back in the days of Elisha the prophet, and when the kings of Israel and Aram were at war with each other. The king of Aram would try strategy after strategy, but to no avail. The king of Israel and his men were always there to meet the king of Aram and his men.

The king of Aram was really getting ticked. Back at his palace, he demanded his special circle of advisors to tell him who was on the side of the king of Israel. In other words, who's tipping off the enemy? The king of Aram's special advisers reassured him that no Aramean was tipping off Israel--it was Israel's prophet, Elisha. After a bit of snooping the king of Aram found out where Elisha was, and commissioned his men to go capture Elisha.

So next morning, Elisha and his servant are getting up. Both see the same sight, but have totally different reactions. While Elisha is courageous and calm, his servant is going totally berserk. There was a huge army of horses and chariots, just waiting to capture his master! And in this servant's own words,

"Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?" (II Kings 6:15)

Elisha replies in what is one of the most beautiful passages of scripture, II Kings 6:16--

"Don't be afraid...Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Huh?

Elisha prays, and God opens this servants' eyes. Now, this servant sees what Elisha sees--hundreds upon thousands of God's fiery horsemen and chariots surrounding this city--all on standby and ready to defend God's prophet. This servant's perspective totally changed.

I can think of several lessons from my experience and view from the mountain. First of all, where's your perspective? Are you burdened down with the cares of everyday life, and with the strength of the enemy? Or do you see the big picture of how everything really is, and how strong God is? When Super_Nate and I were down in the valley, it seemed like the town we were in was huge! But on the mountain, the town was just a fraction of the panorama. So are we too much focused on the cares of this world (and you know what they are) or are we looking at things in their real light? Are we getting bogged down about how "big" the enemy is, or are we trusting and rejoicing in God's mighty protection? Are we focusing on the truly important things of this life, such as getting ourselves and others ready for heaven?

Now what about you? Are you focusing on the wrong things, the cares of the valley, the strength of the enemy? If you are, ask God to help you see the big picture. He always sees the panorama!