The View

Standing at my kitchen bench, I love the vista from the window onto a corner of my garden. I love watching the birds feeding on the bread I’ve thrown them. It’s a pretty sight, and gives me cause to pause and enjoy. You might have something similar – a favourite corner of the garden or maybe you look out at mountains, the sea, or views across the city.

Actual views aside, we also all have outlooks on life. And yes, forgive me for quoting the rather obvious “is the glass half full or half empty” description of viewing life. But there is a lot to be said for our attitude towards life. We need to hold to the perspective of Heaven for our lives. We need to respond to life like Heaven responds.

Setting our minds on things above is thinking about what God would be thinking about the events in our lives. Vision is what we see, but it is also the way in which we see. Vision is the lens that interprets the events of our life, our outlook on life. Vision is what keeps us looking forward, not back and certainly not down.

Whenever I’m finding it tough going and I’m tempted to focus on the negative in my life – whether it be the length of the lawn in my garden (!) or work pressures, or the seemingly endless list of things to do, I like to look up. And by that I mean to Heaven – to God, not to the birds in the trees! I look up to God, to ask for His perspective on life. And by looking up I gain hope, strength, and vision for my day and for my life.

My favourite Psalm says it best….

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.