Today’s devotion is based on Week 2 of “Tough Love”: Challenges Perspective! (WATCH HERE)
“That’s your perspective.”
This phrase is often at the conclusion of a conversation in which two individuals are discussing a matter and finding no agreement. They see the situation differently. They have different conclusions and the only alignment they can find is to agree they have different perspectives.
This could be in the area of politics.
This could be a relationship dispute or difference.
This could be a child’s behavior or performance in school.
Perspective.
It’s the way we view not just a situation in life, but actually the way we view all of life.
Perspective.
It’s been fashioned by our life experiences, the inputs of people we trust, and what our mind has concluded is correct.
Perspective.
It’s hard to change. Especially if it has been a perspective you have held for years.
Perspective.
It’s hard to challenge. Especially if the topic will create conflict or uncomfortable conversations.
Perspective.
Sometimes we have to challenge them.
And that’s tough.
But that’s what tough love does.
Does a parent challenge the perspective that a young daughter has on a young man that is taking advantage of her? Of course. You love her too much not to.
Does an employer challenge the perspective of an employee that is underperforming due to drug and alcohol abuse. Of course. You care about the person and the work of the company not to.
Does God challenge our perspectives that come naturally and are skewed by our sinful nature? Of course. He loves us too much to live in our sin and find the eternal destruction an ungodly perspective has.
That’s what tough love does. It challenges our perspectives…especially the ones that are not seeing the world through the lens of God’s truth.
This week God will do just that.
Why? Because he loves us enough to show us tough love and challenge the perspectives that are not spiritually beneficial, biblically correct, or eternally lasting.
This is God’s heart for every person of every generation. Since sin entered the world, he has been willing to confront perspectives that are fashioned from our heart of sin and replace them with the perspectives of a heart of his Spirit.
Here’s one example to reflect on today from the prophet Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 36:22 “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
Apply: What perspective are you holding on to that you know God is wanting to change in you?
Prayer: Lord, again thank you for your heart of love that is willing to challenge our perspectives and align them to your heart, your word, your truth. Keep my heart willing to conform to your heart and my perspectives to your perspective. AMEN.