THE ART OF USING THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE

                        
I recently preached a sermon on "Perspective." To sum up about 30 minutes of hot-air, obnoxious gesturing, and passionate- persuasively spoken broken English, I have for you one thought. In regards to "Perspective" ... our Christian perspective to life on this side of Heaven: FAITH, FAITH, FAITH. Nothing more, nothing less. Now here is a Chapter from the unpublished "Book of Spirituality" that I wrote a while back- with hopes you find it encouraging. #REALdisciple

  I have been politically locked down for a little over a year now in a sense. A strange thing happened to me over the course of my soon to be wife's pregnancy; an epiphany if you will. I had came to this conclusion: "I DO NOT CONTROL MY  DESTINY." This conclusion troubled me deeply due to the simple fact that my "destiny" or my life's path- whatever you want to call it, was something that I presumed I had control of.
Well, I guess we do have control over or better yet- reign in our destiny's scheme of things, when it comes to our actions or reactions in daily situations or circumstances. But the fact of matter is: there is a bottom line, which I know now; and probably have subliminally or subconsciously by my spirit understood since my upbringing. The bottom line is this: EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. Such a simple statement yet holding profound significance in meaning! Everything happens for a reason- such a simple-minded outlook that only a simpleton can stand on without falling into the abyss of twenty-one questions. Everything happens for a reason, such a controversial and lame saying that somebody came up with as an ideal to cope with misfortune. Oddly enough though, "everything happens for a reason" goes hand-in-hand with... FAITH. I have a belief, I believe that everything happens for a reason. In this chaotic rat-race we live called "life", I believe (or more accurately said- I know) that there are cleverly  orchestrated schemes to say the least; Divine Appointments in each of our existence plural. Everything happens for a reason, and God is at Work, Divine Work on our behalf; in every "one" instance of our existence. He is at Work. Maybe these things are written in the Heavens; or maybe only God Knows. What on Earth is gonna happen next? Who knows?? He Knows. What we do know: God has blessed some of us with an exceptional amount of "Spiritual Intelligence", and "Goodwill" which in turn creates: PROPER PERSPECTIVE. I have had the opportunity to tell so many people that there is an ART TO USING THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE; it's an art. My definition of Proper Perspective is simple: Have FAITH, that EVERYTHING in your life : heartache, hardship and adversity; death, life, or sickness; happiness, sadness, even depression; horrific or even scandalously shocking situations- EVERYTHING is filtered through the Hands of God and can be used to His Glory. He is in Control and He reigns. During horrible times even the strongest of us question FAITH, but I am here to boldly tell you, " EVERY single incident which occurs in your life- (which He is completely aware of- it didn't go under His radar, if that were even possible) EVERY SINGLE INCIDENT which occurs in your life- from the good, to the bad, to the ugly; are steps toward the Master Plan of our Divine Creator. He is in Control. So we give thanks in EVERYTHING in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the Apostle Paul writes in His letter to the Ephesians:
Ephesians 5:20- always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, you CAN rest easy in the Word of God spoken through Jeremiah the Prophet:   Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.               
And you CAN know- He'll work it out:
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Do you Love Him? Is your FAITH in Him? Because you can have Peace in knowing He is in Control, but there is an Art in Using the Proper Perspective.