Perspective

per·spec·tive

[per-spek-tiv]  Show IPA

noun

1. a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.

Compare aerial perspective, linear perspective.

2. a picture employing this technique, especially one in which it is prominent: an

architect's perspective of a house.

3. a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on

the main axis of anestate.

4. the state of existing in space before the eye: The elevations look all right,

but the building's compositionis a failure in perspective.

5. the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful

interrelationship: Youhave to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.

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The lyrics from Mercy Me will start  out this post on perspective:

"I Can Only Imagine" 

I can only imagine, What it will be like, When I walk, By your side

I can only imagine, What my eyes will see, When your face, Is before me

I can only imagine,  [Chorus:]

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel, Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall, Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all,

I can only imagine

I can only imagine, When that day comes, And I find myself, Standing in the Son

I can only imagine, When all I will do, Is forever, Forever worship You, I can only imagine,  [Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine, When all I will do, Is forever, forever worship you

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I want to focus on the highlighted part of this song:

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel, Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall, Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

Can you imagine with me just for a moment what that really will be like.  Imagine, you are in judgement (for those that know Jesus Christ as Savior and our names written in His Book of Life) and for just an instant you flash back and see you whole life:  The significance, the ignorance, the pettiness, the surreal, the meaningful and the useless - and then at the very moment that all that we did that did not have God's will in life - is meaningless and will be burned by the the trial of fire.

Imagine if, like me, you say things like:

• I could have done better
• I should have walked away from that
• Why did I let that bother me
• Why did I waste so much time on that
• Okay, that wasn't that bad
• Oh, that is what God really wanted me to focus one
• I never realized how many lives were impacted by my witness
• I never understood just how important my life was to God
• I could have done better

I mean, just think with me for a moment, there is Heaven's Throne Room and the rainbows around throne and the stones and God's brilliant radiance and magnificence and the angels and the saints and all the praises in Heaven.  And then, there He is, Jesus Christ, in all his bodily and heavenly perfect form right in front of us.  For some he may be a distant reminder, for others a deep and sincere friend and for other's our master, savior, friend, and so much more.  His eyes brilliant and piercing right through our soul.  Will I be able to speak, will I be able to gaze upon his beauty, will I be unashamed or will I have regret or maybe a little of both.

Oh, how I crave for the words from my Savior, "well done, my good and faithful servant!"  Will I hear those words?  Or will I hear, did you love me?  did you love me?  did you really love me? Maybe deep and penetrating questions:

Did you feed my sheep

Did you use the gifts of time, talent and treasure to honor me and do my will

Did you defend the defenseless

Did I take God at his word for pure religion (providing for the widows and orphans and to avoid the ways of this world)

Did I keep my temple pure

Did I pursue righteousness

Did I renew my mind and seek God

Did I witness Jesus to the world

If not, why not?  Why do we spend so much time pursuing the things of this world that mean nothing instead of seeking God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength?

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

"Dear Lord, please reveal to me those things that I need to repent of, please renew my heart and mind to pursue you daily and open my eyes and ears to search for your will and way in my life daily.  Thank you Jesus for another day to pursue your will and not mine."

Blessings,

D