Point of View

Yesterday morning I rose about my normal time and as I sat here in my chair I was lamenting, a bit, our departure from the mountain.

We had gotten enough unpacked and put in place that we were able to rest well but there was, and is, still much to do to feel settled. Dave and I were having coffee and talking about the day’s activities – quite a list – and we both mentioned what we thought was being done on the mountain.

It was then Dave said, “Kris, grab your camera. You don’t want to miss this sunrise!” He was right.

From where I was sitting, I would have missed it. I had the wrong point of view.

Isn’t that the way things are in life? We can be looking at things from one perspective but if we were just willing to get up and move, we’d get a different angle with a wonderous outlook.

Reminds me of a story. (Luke 7:36-50)

Jesus was invited to dinner at the home of a religious leader named Simon. A woman who had not been invited came in also. She went to where Jesus was seated and began washing His feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. Then she poured expensive perfume on them and kissed them.

Simon was outraged. This was a woman of low repute. She was causing a scene. How dare she interrupt his time with Jesus and why didn’t Jesus stop her, didn’t he realize what kind of a woman she was?

Without Simon saying anything out loud, Jesus knew his thoughts and addressed them. He told Simon a story about two people who had been forgiven a debt, one owed a great deal and the other a small amount.

Jesus asked Simon this question, “who do you think was the most grateful?”. Simon answered I suppose the one who was forgiven the most. Jesus told Simon he was correct. And then He went on to vindicate the woman.

He pointed out to Simon that Simon had neglected to show Him the common courtesy due a guest. Simon hadn’t offered to have a servant wash His feet upon arrival, but this woman had washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, which was her crowning glory. Simon hadn’t greeted him with the customary kiss, but this woman kissed His feet.

Simon saw a harlot of low reputation, someone with no value. Jesus saw a woman who needed to be forgiven.

From Simon’s perspective, he didn’t need forgiveness. He was a good man. From Jesus’ viewpoint He saw a man and a woman who both needed forgiveness. One was grateful and loving, the other was stubborn and callous.

“So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love.” Luke 7:47 CEV

Enjoying the beauty of a sunrise is nice but viewing people from a heart of love is better. I hope that I will always see things from God’s point of view.