Perspectives

There’s a majestic oak tree at the forest preserve where I ride my bike. I’ve shared a few pictures for you to see its beauty for yourself.

One of the photos is taken from the northeastern part of the trail. As I traveled south and west and took the second picture, you can see the oak, but it’s harder to admire from that angle.

Perspective is everything. Riding along that eastern section, the view is stunning. The southwest end, not so much.

That’s true with life generally. Some days my outlook leans toward grumpy, especially when I succumb to negative thinking. Like this morning, preparing to go on our vacation, all I could think of was my to-do list, and soon I was grumbling to myself. I stopped and reminded myself, “You’re going on vacation. In a few hours you’ll see beautiful scenery and enjoy a restful get-away.” Soon I found myself humming a hymn we sang on Sunday—”Jesus Paid it All.”

All to Him I owe, says the song. And that means all my best, because Jesus gave His all, the very best there ever was, for me. My heart’s desire is to please Him. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8 to think on what is right, noble, true, pure, lovely, and admirable. Turning our attention to our God and pleasing Him will bring about that change of perspective we need when negativity tries to steal our joy.