Perspective

The view from the top of a mountain, or the micro detail seen from the eyes of a two year old scouring the ground for things to touch and pick up.  Both very different perspectives.  How boring would life be if we could only see things from one point of view.  Or what if everything were in black and white like an old photograph.

I was listening to a Mars Hill Bible Church teaching this past week on one of Jesus' parables.  It is one that many people don't like because of the way in which the "King" becomes angry with his people causing death and destruction. It is the parable of the Wedding Banquet from Matthew 22.  

The responses to the teaching on the web site were very interesting.  Many thought that Shane's interpretation was completely skewed and skirted the issue of God's wrath.  A few thought that his message was one of hope and love.  Others took a "Pharisee" approach and would only see it interpreted in the way they wanted it to be.  

Personally, I like to look at the parables in as many ways as possible.  To see them from a distance and to look into the very meanings of the words.  Shane's interpretation was his view or lens of this parable.  It is like when a referee's call is questioned.  They don't simply look at one view, the judges look at every view available to get a 360 degree view of the play.  Only then can they decide on the call.

I am starting to see how this view helps us in our lives as well.  When we only see things from our own narrow point of view, do we always have the best information to make an interpretation or decision.  It really is best to ask others, listen to their position and then try to discern a point.  Our single lens can often times lead us into making the wrong assumption or decision.

Holding differing points in dialectical tension is the only way to truly test your point of view with suspicion.  Hopefully your faith will be mature enough to accept that others have as much right to their opinion or belief as you do yours.

Peace for all on this blessed day!