New Lens Required!

I was studying how other people operate in the gifts that Holy Spirit gives us. I see patterns in people’s behavior or get a word of knowledge that shows me a problem. Then the word of wisdom explains how to solve the problem. Because I had Post Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD) from being in the military, my feelings were not involved with Holy Spirit’s way of showing me answers to problems. In watching others work with Holy Spirit, it puzzled me how they discerned what was happening with a person by their feelings.

I asked God how to remove the limits from how I operate in God’s gifts. I wasn’t too sure I wanted to feel all these feelings, but I didn’t want to limit God in my life. I got an unexpected answer.

Cultural Lens!

I was watching TV and saw a person who was overweight. My first thought was it was too bad that they can’t lose weight. Holy Spirit suddenly revealed that I was looking through a false perspective. It was like a light bulb went off in my spirit. I realized that somewhere in my childhood, I took on my parents’ view of people.

Here is an example of what I mean. A friend of mine and her father was at a Chinese restaurant in West Virginia. A lady walked by, and my friend’s father said, “She can’t help that she is ugly, but she could’ve stayed home!” We didn’t agree with his words but laughed at his perception of the women. Right or wrong, we were raised to view people by how they look, their nationality, and many other differences. It was common, in my household, to tell Polish, Swedish, and German jokes. Everyone did it and no one was offended. It was part of our heritage to tease others about the differences.

These views aren’t necessarily wrong.  I live in a city where we celebrate our different cultures and are not at war with each other. We go to the different events like the Polish Fest, German Heritage Day, and Martin Luther Day celebrations. It becomes a problem when we judge others because of the differences.

How do you change your perspective?

I asked God to change my perspective so I can see people through His view of people. My view was limiting God’s gifts and caused me to not see the beauty in myself and in others. It is hard to see the treasures in people when my lens is focused on people’s weakness. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Mary had to see her son, Jesus, through God’s lens. God made an adjustment to Joseph and Mary’s view of Jesus when he stayed behind to question the teachers at the temple on the scriptures. This was a change of view by revealing Jesus’s mission as the Messiah.

The apostles thought Jesus would be setting up his kingdom here on earth in their lifetime. When Jesus was crucified, their hopes were crushed. It was Mary Magdalene that went to the tomb and accepted the truth that Jesus rose from the dead. She was willing to go and tell the disciples. Jesus’s disciples had to have a different lens to see the risen Christ and his plans for the world.

We all have foggy lens because of our surrounding cultural structures. You see Jesus breaking these false lenses with the religious leaders. He didn’t fit their religious versions of the Messiah. Those willing to ask God for the truth had their eyes open and minds changed. We just need to ask God to reveal his view. A whole new world of adventures awaits those who are willing to open this door to God’s best.

Prayer

Father God,

I repent for seeing people through my own tainted perspective. I ask you to see people through your eyes of love. This doesn’t mean I don’t see the problems, but I see them in a way that produces pray and life instead of death and judgment. Forgive me for limiting you in my relationships with friends, husband, children, family, and other connections. Allow those who I am to connect with to see the real me. Protect me from false insights meant to harm me or others. I choose your armor over my own protection.

I am choosing to trust you as my Father, Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and Holy Spirit as my Guide and Teacher. Help me to reprogram my lens and remove the lies I have allowed to rule in my life. Cause your truth to reign in my life. I choose to walk in your love and trust you are working all things to my good. In Jesus’s name and by His blood, amen!

Scriptures

Luke 2:41-52, Matthew 28, Proverbs 10:12, and Romans 8:28

Acknowledgement

I want to thank Mary Beth for providing the stones and the UV lamp. You are the best!