Perspective Makes All The Differences

It is amazing how 2 people or 2 groups of people can look at the same thing but see something completely different. Just because we look at the same thing doesn’t mean we see the same thing.

Two people can engage in the same conversation yet walk away with two totally different viewpoints on what they just heard, said, or even meant to say.

Two students can sit in a classroom and get two totally different conclusions from the same lesson and the same teacher.

Two people can be in the same friendship, relationship, or marriage, and the two people in it can have a night and day version regarding the happiness and health of that relationship.

Two people can share the same meal, at the same table, at the same time, yet have two varied experiences.

Two people can watch the same TV series or movies and have totally conflicting views.

Two people can see the same thing yet have two totally different interpretations of what they just saw.

If you go and google, you will find many reasons why people see things differently to others. But here is the reality. And it all comes down to one word – perspective.

Your perspective shapes what you see, what you look at. We all look at things from our own personal point of view, which is shaped by life experiences, values, current state of mind, the assumptions, and a whole lot of other things.

We don’t even know that we are doing it most of the time. Subconsciously we make assumptions and those assumptions shape our perspective.

Let’s play this out a bit. You can look at the headlines in the news or on social media, but depending on your perspective, what you see maybe different. You can look at financial news, financial uncertainty, but based on your financial position and perspective will determine how you look at the financial future.

You can look at the challenges at home, in your relationships, at school and depending on your perspective, that factors into what you see when you look at those challenges.

Now when Jesus walked on this earth, He saw things differently.

And so, one day the disciplines face this challenged of feeding a large group of people, thousands, and they look at a little boy’s lunch. Well that isn’t very helpful. When Jesus looks at that lunch, he sees an opportunity to demonstrate his power and to give God glory.

Remember when Jesus goes to the tomb of his good friend Lazarus. Everyone else sees the tomb as death and defeat. But Jesus looks at the tomb he sees something different. He sees hope. He sees victory. He sees an opportunity for God to be glorified.

Jesus looked at things differently.

I want us to look at the life of Joshua. Joshua’s perspective was filled with hope and faith which helped him to find strength and courage when facing difficult times.

Through their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites had witnessed first-hand God’s provision, His power, and His faithfulness to the promises made to their ancestors. And God continued to provide for all their needs. As they began their journey to Canaan, God provided food and water. He provided clothes and shoes that never wore out.

And most importantly God gave the Israelites the gift of His sheltering and guiding presence.

When the Israelites reached the border of the promised land, God instructed Moses to, “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.”. This land was called the promised land. Promised land. It is the land promised to the Israelites since Abraham. Hundreds of generations have anticipated this moment and it has finally arrived.

Numbers 13: 1 - 3 – he Lord now said to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” So, Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He sent out twelve men

Caleb & Joshua were among the 12.

We must understand that Moses sent these men into the Promised Land. Not send some men into the I’m contemplating land, or I’m considering it land, or the well see land, talk to me about it later land, or the maybe land. No, it is the promised land. God says this is the land I am giving to you.

It has already been decided and determined. And so, what we see is they go into the land with a totally different mentality. God didn’t ask them to go decide. God didn’t say, I want you to go into the land and then I want to consult with you. Come back and tell me what you think.