While walking outside daily, I continue to find hearts reminding me of God’s love and care. They might be in the form of stones, blacktop, flowers, or whatever is around me. I will often stop in my tracks to see if something is heart shaped or if it was my imagination. It is not only on my walks, but also around my house, at a store, or even the gas station, somehow hearts are in my path. This has been ongoing for the last six months. I might even see hearts when I close my eyes sometimes!
I have also noticed it depends on my perception or view if the item looks like a heart or not. Sometimes when I pick up a stone, I position it in my hand based on different angles. One way, it might not look like a heart but turning it a different way changes my perception of the shape. It makes me think of our relationship with God.
This side doesn’t look like a heart.
Turned this way looks like a heart.
Our perception of life and its happenings are based on our experiences that form us into who we are and how we see the world.
Our perception is key in how we see God and life.
Our perception is key in how we handle the difficulties of life.
- Sometimes our perception is incorrect.
- Sometimes our perception is not reality.
- Sometimes our perception needs to be changed.
Isn’t our faith a key factor that influences our perception of things in life?
- How do we handle the heartbreaks we endure?
- How do we make it through the losses we experience?
- How do we rise above the negativity we see?
When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, ” ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ” –Mark 4:10-12 (NIV)
These verses come right after Jesus tells the parable of the sower found in Mark 4:1-9. This passage shows the importance of faith in our lives. Those who have faith in God and seek Him with sincere hearts are given the secret to the kingdom of God. Those with hearts hardened to faith are not able to perceive and understand the parables Jesus shared.
What are some instances when we sometimes need to change our perception?
–When we think we aren’t valuable or good enough.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? –Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
Photo courtesy of Amydeanne under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
–When we think God won’t provide for us.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
–When we think we are alone.
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
–When the cares of this world weigh us down.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. –Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
As you go about life this week, take time to see if your perception of something needs an adjustment. When my children were youngsters, my mother-in-law would take my daughter at times, turn her around three times to help her have an “attitude adjustment.” Maybe we need to do something similar when we find our perception needs some adjusting. Take time to adjust your perception if need be.
Remember to…
- …stand firm in your faith.
- …stand on the Word of God.
- …strive daily for a Godly perception.
- …don’t be afraid to change your perception.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. –Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Christine,
How ironic it is that you bring this topic up. It’s even more ironic that you used a particular scripture that the Lord really impressed upon me. Lol. Amazing how God works. The scripture I am speaking of is Matthew 6:26. Jesus uses this reference and points directly to one of the senses: SIGHT. Jesus gives us the reality check that HE PROVIDES.
It is important to highlight what Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-34, because He is speaking to the human heart. The exhortation He uses is addressing our human condition. We humans have the knack for imagining sometimes those scenarios that get us all bent and twisted out of shape. Why is that? Because, our human existence consists of emotions or feelings, as well as thought processes that more or less feed (or fuel) into our heightened sense of awareness.
Our Lord Jesus KNOWS us better than we know ourselves. How easy it is to get all caught up in the motion of emotion and therefore become lost in that which is indeed human nature. Jesus is challenging us to look past the reality of what things look like while giving us the perspective that WE DO INDEED HAVE A HOPE TO CLING ONTO. OUR HOPE IS CHRIST. We can trust that He will provide, no matter what our feelings or emotions may tell us.
It’s quite interesting that Jesus also pinpoints our humanity with such accuracy. This proves that even though He is God in human flesh, He can sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus even addresses these weaknesses of doubt, fear, anxiety, and insecurity with a REST ASSURED SOLUTION: WE CAN TRUST IN HIM! He also points out this truth as well: WE ARE VALUABLE TO HIM!
When we base our human experience upon what we feel in any given moment, it’s that moment that we set ourselves up for an emotional rollercoaster ride. However, when we base our experience upon Trusting God in ALL things, it’s then that we can have perfect peace that God is with us, no matter what.
Man’s perception can easily be our deception. And how easily we can be deceived by what we think as well as what we feel. God’s perception puts EVERYTHING into His Perspective. When we look to God and ask Him to help us see things the way He sees them, we will see clearer and we can see the bigger picture. Anything outside of God’s Perception is most definitely not in alignment with God. However, even when we get sidetracked or it seems our focus is off course, God can and will set us straight, when we submit to His Perfect Will being implemented.
Praying that God’s Perception enlightens all of our hearts to be transformed into being more like Christ in every area of our lives. Many blessings to all those who read this. Shalom.
Christopher: Thank you so very much for reading and sharing! I appreciate the wisdom, great truth, and encouragement you shared. They are perfect reminders for me. How I marvel at God’s perfect orchestration in our lives. Blessings to you, my friend~