Last
week as we were driving home from Salt Lake City an interesting subject
regarding the idea of perspective presented itself. To set the scene, the
weather was beautifully clear as we left Wendover heading for the Pequops.
Eventually, off to our right stood Pilot Peak, appearing in, seemingly,
solitary splendor, looking like a volcanic sentinel. In fact, during pioneer
days, Pilot Peak was a trail landmark, but it was never volcanic.
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| Courtesy of Brian Diehl |
The
light was so perfect that day, my photographer son stopped the car and took a
picture. When we were on the road again, he remarked something to the effect,
“It’s fascinating how Pilot Peak just looks like another peak in the Peqop
Range from the back side.”
Another
example of perspective was brought to my attention with the jigsaw puzzle presently
spread out on a card table to one side of my kitchen. It’s slightly larger than
the table so my older son (the cardboard king) fashioned a cardboard topper so
we could safely assemble the puzzle without pieces dropping off the ends of the
earth (namely, the card table).
It
has been a Christmas tradition for many years to put together a jigsaw puzzle
during the holidays and my brother sent us a dilly of a present with this
puzzle. When we turned over all 1500 puzzle pieces with their disconcerting
hues of brown, green and blue, gray and black, our perspective caused us to be
overwhelmed with a tinge of discouragement at the seeming possibility
of ever
assembling that puzzle.
Now
after a month’s time, with the help of several friends, my perspective on The Puzzle
has changed. It’s fascinating to see how those different hues of brown, greens,
and blues have taken shape to form the total picture. Not that we’re finished,
but completion now seems possible.
It’s
probably age on my part, but I can see (no pun intended) how perspective can
flavor our impressions/reactions to any challenge that comes along in our
lives. It seems to be directed by positive or negative attitudes toward the
life bumps that raise their as we travel along.
Consider
adjusting perspective in a “challenging”--use any adjectives that fit hereJ -- situation. Remember, the
“front” side of the mountain looks completely different from the back side, and
the pile of puzzle pieces can “morph” into a lovely picture. I like the example
of looking at a beautiful piece of embroidery work and comparing it to our
lives. When we look at the under side of the handwork, we see a maze of threads
running helter-skelter, including plenty of knots. When the piece is turned
over, an artistic piece of lovely colors blend to create a pleasing picture.
Using
that idea and comparing it to God, the Creator, Who sees through all the knots
and hairpin curves in His children’s lives and sees them fit into a beautiful picture
at completion of our life, gives me hope for my personal perspective. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts
far surpass ours and Jeremiah encourages us that God has a plan for our lives one
of hope and not harm.
So
take heart and double check your perspective.
