Changed perspective

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to

see that the city was full of idols. v. 16 As an early riser, my wife enjoys the quiet moments before the house wakes up and uses it to read the Bible and pray. Recently she settled into her favorite chair, only to be confronted by a rather messy couch left there by “someone” watching a football game the night before. The mess distracted her at first, and her frustration with me interrupted the warmth of the moment.

Then a thought hit her, and she moved to the couch. From there, she could look out our front windows to the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. The beauty of the scene God painted that morning changed her perspective.

As she told me the story, we both recognized the lesson of the morning. While we can’t always control the things of life that impact our day, we do have a choice. We can continue to brood over the “mess,” or we can change our perspective. When Paul was in Athens, “he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). But when he changed his perspective, he used their interest in religion as an opportunity to proclaim the true God, Jesus Christ (vv.22-23).

As my wife left for work, it was time for someone else to change his perspective — for me to let the Lord help me to see my messes through her eyes and His. — Randy Kilgore

Dear Lord, grant us the wisdom to change our perspective rather than linger over messes. Help us to see — and fix — the “messes” we make for others.

READ: Acts 17:16-23 Wisdom is seeing things from God’s perspective. Bible in a Year: Numbers 15-16; Mark 6:1-29