A New Perspective

So much of life depends on our perspective. Verse 2 of Psalm 40 says, “I waited, I waited for the Lord,” which implies that God is absent. How does the situation change if we realize that what we need to pray for is clearer vision to see God who is already present?

Often we aren’t even aware of our underlying assumption that everyone else has the same perspective we do. Yet how can a tree be seen the same way by a boring insect (which relies on the roots for food), an owl (which depends on the branches for shelter), and me (who counts on the leaves for the oxygen I breathe)? Our own particular needs and the experiences that have shaped us feed our perspectives, which makes life interesting when we encounter the differing perspectives of others in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

Robert Morneau’s poem A New Song takes a helpful approach to this situation:

We each are given a song to sing

the notes of which

are essentially the same.

We simply order them differently

(or is it, they order us?)

Recognizing the notes we have in common can help us be patient with each other: we all are loved by God as we grapple with fulfilling our basic needs, developing relationships, finding satisfying work, dealing with loss and grief, and facing death. On the other hand, celebrating our differences by enjoying the unique songs people create as they order these notes differently can make life a rich and joyful adventure.

At least, that’s my perspective.