Steps to a Heavenly Perspective

Read |Proverbs 3:5-7|

As I write this, we are in the midst of a surreal global experience caused by the Covid-19 Disease.  Many borders have been shut; airlines grounded; schools closed and people told to remain indoors. Never in the history of mankind has there been this kind of global response to a pandemic. 
  
I have become very conscious of my body and surroundings. Before now, I was able to largely ignore the niggling occurrences of my body.  Now, the jumping of my eyes, clearing of my throat, a cough or sneeze, cause me alarm. I now feel every shudder of my nerves and palpitation of my heart. Not only that, but I ponder: when was the last time I washed my hands; which traveller did I come in contact with; am I at least 3 feet away from my neighbour in the ATM line and the list goes on and on. This begs a maddening effect.

But thank God, long before any point of despair, I can close my eyes and  turn my thoughts to Jesus. I can direct my mind to submit to the knowledge of Christ, which engenders praise! I can give thanks for the love, beauty and health that surround me, here and now. I can rejoice because of the sweet salvation I enjoy and will enjoy. 

Only our Heavenly Father has a perfect perspective on this issue, and every other issue that pertains to Heaven and Earth. He alone is able to see all angles of history: the details of the present and their relationship to the past, and the things to come.  Although we will never be able to claim such knowledge, we are called as Christians to develop a more heavenly (perfect) perspective by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  

Where do we start? On every side, we are bombarded with news updates by persons who seem to no longer carry a burden to be objective. Rather, all are fighting to win us over to their side on a variety of social issues. Thankfully, God has equipped us to live with a heavenly lens.  

Proverbs 3: 5 - 7 provides us with four steps for developing a heavenly perspective:

1. Trust in the Lord. Rely on Him to guide your steps. Let His will be what you seek in all things. Seek the Lord and ask Him to provide you with the direction you need for each moment of every day.
2. Do not rely on your own understanding. Humility is required to honor the counsel of the Lord. Because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, His direction may seem strange. (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9). We will not always have an understanding of His instructions. They may not make sense to us, but they are to be obeyed. We obey because we trust the character of the One who gives the command. We obey because we are a people called to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7).
3. Turn away from evil. This is the outcome we enjoy when we trust and obey the Lord-we turn away from evil. Our Lord’s direction always guides us along paths of righteousness. In your obedience to the Lord you will never have to worry about where your feet stand: you will surely be in the righteous way! (Psalm 23: 3). 
4. Read Scripture. This is not explicitly stated, but it is clearly implied. One of the primary ways in which God speaks to His people is through Scripture. All the other ways in which God chooses to speak to His people are ALL confirmable by Scripture. If we are to discern what His good and pleasing will is-if we are to access the heavenly perspective-we must renew our minds by daily meditating on His Word. (Romans 12: 1-2).
5. Speak to Him (pray) and ask the Holy Spirit for Guidance. Call on the Lord by faith and know that you will be heard. Ask for His help and know you will receive it. (Hebrews 4:16). Speak, but listen even more and you will find that your perspective is drawn deeper into the throne room of Heaven.​

As we live through these unusual times, let us set our minds on things above.  Let us focus on the love and the hope of Christ, even as we take precautions. We need not worry or be anxious for anything, for we have the gift of joy and hope in Jesus Christ.

Bonus Step: Praise and Worship!

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Go Deeper

​As Be-Held Women we believe that true self-care is accomplished in a lifestyle of intimacy with Jesus Christ. We take care by drawing near to God through seeking and living the truth of God’s Word, by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are confident that in living the truth by His Holy Spirit we will be transformed into women who bear the image of Jesus Christ in spirit, soul and body-women who are empowered to bless many.  Dear Be-Held Woman, seeking, living and being transformed by the truth of God's Word, we offer you this Bible study guide to support you in your endeavors! Apply it to this week's Scripture readings.

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