Joe was dissatisfied. His prosperous farm provided a good living, but something seemed to be missing in his life.
At first, he enjoyed the challenges of building up the place, but now it had become routine. He decided to make a change and get a new place. He contacted Fred, his real estate agent friend, and arranged to have him sell the old place and find him something new.
A few days later, Joe browsed through Fred’s local ads to see if he could find anything promising. One local property sounded impressive—fertile land, a roomy house, and lots of appeal. He quickly called Fred and asked to see the listed property, thinking it might be what he wanted.
Fred seemed surprised. “But that’s your place!” he said. “If it sounds great, that’s because it is. I wondered why you wanted to sell.”
After a pause, Joe said, “You know, you’re right. Cancel the ads and let’s forget it. I’ll enjoy what I have. And thanks for the new perspective.”
Esther also got a new perspective from Mordechai’s observations about her being part of God’s plan to save her people, the Jews. Occasionally, I experience the same in my spiritual life.
New perspectives usually occur when I emerge from a time of overwhelming struggle, laden with fears and worries, and then think back about it. When I do that, I suddenly realize God’s ongoing presence and provision—something I’d never considered until then. When I emerge, I’m intact and with a stronger faith.
When you are in a tight spot, let God change your perspective. He can give you a shift of view.
Anne Adams is a retired church staffer living in Athens, Texas, where she writes a historical column for the local newspaper. Her book Brittany, Child of Joy, tells about her mentally disabled daughter and was published in 1986 by Broadman. She has taught junior college history and has published in Christian and secular publications for forty years.