THE LENS
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.” (1 John 5 v20)
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:1-7)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.” (1 John 5 v20)
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:1-7)
We all view life through a set of lenses. These lenses are deeply personal for each individual and are made up of all kinds of elements: your upbringing, education, faith, where and when you grew up, the colour of your skin, the traditions of your culture, how much of the world you’ve seen, your relationship status. You name it - it all contributes to shaping how we view life in general, and our own place within it in particular. And just like a fingerprint, no two sets of lenses are the same between any two people. Your lens is uniquely your lens.
It’s important to recognise what shapes who you are as a person and to consider the impact it has on how you view life – where you’ve come from and where you’re going. Our globalised culture means that we have more insight than ever before into different points of view and experiences all around the world, but that doesn’t make us any more likely to be deceived by wrong thinking, or negatively affected by the circumstances surrounding us.
To function and flourish as followers of Jesus, it’s important that we recognise that there are three things in life that seek to distract and derail us from viewing life with the joyful freedom that God intends: the world, the flesh and the devil. Throughout this week, we will spend time looking at how our world has shaped our thinking and what it means for us to do as the Apostle Paul commands us in Romans 12, and ‘renew our minds’. Today we will end with just three simple questions to help you give this the real amount of reflection that it deserves.
It’s important to recognise what shapes who you are as a person and to consider the impact it has on how you view life – where you’ve come from and where you’re going. Our globalised culture means that we have more insight than ever before into different points of view and experiences all around the world, but that doesn’t make us any more likely to be deceived by wrong thinking, or negatively affected by the circumstances surrounding us.
To function and flourish as followers of Jesus, it’s important that we recognise that there are three things in life that seek to distract and derail us from viewing life with the joyful freedom that God intends: the world, the flesh and the devil. Throughout this week, we will spend time looking at how our world has shaped our thinking and what it means for us to do as the Apostle Paul commands us in Romans 12, and ‘renew our minds’. Today we will end with just three simple questions to help you give this the real amount of reflection that it deserves.
- What are the big factors in your life that have shaped the way you view the world, and your own place in it?
- How biblical is this view of the world?
- Putting it another way, how is your view of the world shaped by it, rather than by the Word of God to you?
Father God, please reveal to me the blessings that I have received in life. Please also help me to see what aspects of my life have had a negative impact on me and distorted my view of things. Help me to invite you in and to go on a journey with you towards being healed and restored from the choices and voices that have stopped me from experiencing more of your glory in my life until now. Amen.
If you have time, consider carrying on your conversation with God using one of our helpful Prayer Pathways.
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
Join our online service at everyday.online
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
Join our online service at everyday.online