My Reality Specs

This past week was difficult for Ashley and me, because of tough decisions we need to make in order to move to South Carolina for seminary.  We believe that God wants to develop our character through this opportunity, and have already felt the tension.  The first thing we realized is the faith it takes to know that God will provide when it’s evident that we can’t.  We know that God wants us there, and face frustrations as we move forward.  This caused us to realize that we will need to take some risks and ask for God’s help.

The risk factor causes friction in our relationship, and is teaching us the frustration of compromise.  Compromise is hard, but the moments of frustration are caused by something I learned in the past.

About a year ago, I realized that a fight is caused by two people who have each made mistakes.  That realization helps me remember to look for my mistakes first, so last week I started to ask myself where I went wrong.  I finally decided to ask God for wisdom, but my prayer sounded more like a command.  I began my prayer by saying, “Father, Ashley is in the wrong, so why don’t you change her?  I’ve examined myself, and fail to see an error on my end.”  God responded, but it wasn’t the answer I was expecting.

He asked me whether I would drop out of seminary in order to show Ashley love.  My response was a strong and passionate, “ABSOLUTELY NOT!”  Which caused me to realize that the problem wasn't with Ashley: it was with me.  God began to gently point out that I was turning His gift into an idol.  I knew that God wanted to develop my character, and I also knew that He didn't need seminary to do it.  God could use anything to develop me.  Using God’s perspective to examine my actions revealed my sin, selfishness and my dependence. 

What I find interesting, is that I fell short when I tried to examine my situation on my own.  I forgot that I’m a sinful, selfish person, and that’s why it was hard to see my mistakes yet easy to see Ashley’s.  I’m realizing that it takes a perfect God to show us our faults, and that only a perfect God can reveal them perfectly.

I believe that God uses prayer to change our perspective, and empowers us to lay down our selfishness and pride.  I also believe that prayer gives us a perfectly, non-biased perspective on life so we can become more like Him.

The power that prayer has to alter our perspective leads to many implications.  Maybe you aren’t a Christian and wonder why Christians believe in God; ask Him to reveal His perspective on life.  Maybe you are fighting with someone and can’t see your fault; ask Him to reveal your fault.  Maybe you are suffering persecution or hardship and can’t see the purpose in your suffering; ask Him.  I think our Father is waiting for His children to ask Him for a clearer picture of reality.   Reality if life from God’s perspective, not ours.