Perspective
In my second musing this Advent, I wanted to explore the word - Perspective.
Here are some functional definitions
1. a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface. Compare aerial perspective, linear perspective.
2. a picture employing this technique, especially one in which it is prominent: an architect's perspective of a house.
3. a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on the main axis of an estate.
4. the state of existing in space before the eye: the elevations look all right, but the building's composition is a failure in perspective.
5. the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful inter-relationship: you have to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.
I want to concentrate on 3 and 5 particularly.
Often we make 'perception' the driver for conversations, choices and decisions when we need perspective as a major part of our discernment, be it as individuals or as a community. Often at meetings I hear 'My perception is'...often a very subjective moment that is very much about you as the individual and your preferences. However, perspective for me brings us into corporate moments that involve sharing and seeing the bigger picture and going beyond the individual preferences and comfort zones that we might have, that can so often be the poorer for seeing the bigger picture. That's why Advent is a really important moment in the Christian calendar that might help us as we look beyond the busyness of the Christmas season of ministry, with all its opportunities, pressures even failures.
As we go towards Advent 3, I am grappling with gaining a perspective that is bigger than my perceptions. Whilst there are so many perceptions of what 'Christmas Is' with the onslaught of adverts (and us waxing lyrical about these) and the challenge it brings for many as we journey through Advent, it is so much more than the Nativity scene or Natwivity on Twitter but is seen with the perspective of the shadow of the cross and resurrection which makes the second coming of Christ come into the perspective of our hope as Christian pilgrims and full realisation of the rule of Christ.
Therefore, in our work with young people, let's offer them the 'reason for the season', offering them the perspective that beyond the nativity there is so much more. Maybe we owe that much to those whom we serve. The signposts go so much further in the Good News. However, here is a good beginning.
I leave you with the prophet Isaiah's spirit-filled perspective for reflection from Chapter 11 v1-5
A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Rightousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The best is yet to come. Come, Lord Jesus!
Peace
Dean
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http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/perspective
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/939