Perspective

I heard a sermon the other day preached at a youth conference in 2008. The man talked about Genesis 15 when God comes to Abram and says "Here I am, your great reward!" to which Abram, weary from waiting for the fulfillment of the promise God had made to him, says basically, "That's nice but what about the son You promised?? LOOK, You've given me no children!"

The preacher empahsized some valid points about Abram's nerve to say to GOD ALMIGHTY who sees EVERYTHING, "LOOK" as if He missed it somehow.
As I read the story for myself, I took something else from it...

God's response was one of kindness and compassion. He was in no way offended by Abram's response. He knows the waiting is hard sometimes. He can handle our questions! ALL of them! I have just found that it's key to ask HIM and not everyone else. :)
When we talk to Him about the things that are weighing on us we give Him the opportunity to raise our line of sight as He did with Abram. The story reads that Abram is speaking to God from inside his tent. My guess is that though Abram was moving and increasing and gaining land and cattle and material treasures that it carried a certain sting because all he could see was that he had no son to pass it on to.

Ever been there??
Surrounded by God's goodness and blessings but so focused on the one thing we don't have that we can't enjoy all we DO have?? I know I have!

But God listens to him. He is patient until he is done telling God how things are from where he is and what he can see at the moment. God visits him, just sits with him for a few minutes.

Doesn't He just change EVERYTHING?!?! :)

God then takes him outside the tent and tells him to look up at the stars and count them...if he can. He has a beautiful way with each of us. He knows just what will lift our eyes above the circumstances to the place He is always calling us to.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!"

My sister talks about ALOHA during her concerts sometimes. Through her, I learned that ALOHA means breath and specifically to share breath from the same spirit. She said that in Hawaii the people will sometimes put their foreheads together and breathe the word ALOHA into the face of the friend or family member they are greeting.
Ever since I heard that story, when I feel like my perspective is sinking, I have made a habit of closing my eyes and picturing Jesus holding my face in His hands. He pulls my forehead to His, our eyes are locked on each others. There are no words, just breaths...long, deep breaths as I allow Him to remind me that I BELIEVE!
and for that moment, that's all I need to do!

It NEVER fails to change my whole perspective!