"POV" (Point of View)

What is your "POV"- point of view?

I've been thinking about that the past few weeks. What do you believe about yourself?  About what you see?

There are always differing points of view. People have opinions and we also have them. We can easily label people or situations based on our past experiences or biases.  Other people can look at our lives and can do the same. They can label us or tell us we're too late, we're too old, we're too young, we're too inexperienced. Everyone has a point of view and they can give it.  

Anyone can influence the narrative of our lives if we're not careful.  We can live into an identity and a reality that is not the truth or the one God has for us, or one that is temporary and not eternal.

Who is influencing your POV?  Is it God's POV of your life?  

Our "point of view" can easily become what our culture says our lives should be or look like. Satan also likes us to focus on what we don't have versus what we do.  He wants us to focus on what we haven't done versus what we have done. He wants to remind us of past mistakes instead of who are in Christ and all we can be thanks to Jesus. We can become insecure, anxious, negative and hopeless and off track if we're not careful.

God has been reminding me that His POV- His point of view of my life- is the right one. It's the truth and it's for eternity. He has me and each of us where we are for a reason and for His perfect timing. If we are letting Him and His Word and His Spirit lead us, we can rest in Him and trust Him to lead us on, one step at a time. And what journey that is!

It's easy in this life at times to feel alone, forgotten, lost, not seen, not heard, abandoned, rejected, not able to recover, and not enough.  We can easily long for what we think we want or need versus what God says and sees.

Yet, God's tells us in His Word His POV of us. He designed us and has plans for each of us. We are chosen, redeemed, and greatly loved. Our bodies are already dying and will return to dust, but our spirits will live on. We are young in eternity and in all that God has ahead. When pressure comes, we can endure. When sin comes, we can escape. It's not over until God says. If doors are closed, He can open them. All of heaven's armies are with us. The Lion of Judah is beside us.  Jesus died to save us and lead us as a Good Shepherd and King. If we fall, God can help us back up. He is merciful. He can redeem any life. Renew any mind. He can break any addiction and break any chains. He can heal any illness. This world is not our home, we're only passing through. If God allows things to be crushed or scattered, even if that is our bodies or things we love, we can trust Him. If He asks us to let something go, we can trust Him. He has another plan.  If He calls us to do something, we can trust Him. If He tells us to hold on, to stay in place, until His time is right, He can help us endure and even become more like Him through the darkest of nights and fiercest of storms.  We are on our way home and it's not easy, but we have a Good Shepherd and a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. We have global family going the same way and we have this way and the King to tell about to the nations. One day, we get new bodies and will be at peace with God and each other for all time, praising God in perfect fellowship where there will be no more pain and sorrow. What a day that will be, when Jesus we shall see! My Dad always says .... "one of these days."  His POV is on heaven. May we all look forward to "home."  

God might not show you His whole POV for your life, but He can help you walk into it.

If your point of view needs adjusted, spend time with God. Let Him remind you of what He says about you and all He has for you. He has all you need and goes with you!

If God is for us, who can be against us... Romans 8:31

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has planned for those who love Him ... 1 Corinthians 2:9

Let's keep the right POV (point of view)!  

I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand, You guide me with your counsel and afterward, you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:23-26

Praises

-I had a great Fasika (Easter) with my family here.  A deeply touching moment was when my home church on Good Friday evening gave a long standing ovation of clapping to Jesus, our Risen King, for finishing what He came to do for us.  May we continue to live in gratitude of what Jesus did!

Loved Fasika with two of my favorite sisters

-I praise God for the chance to speak for Bingham Academy students this past week here in Addis and share at their middle school and high school chapels. To visit some of their youngest students was also a blessing.  May God bless these students, staff, and the school.

Prayer Requests

-Pray for EvaSUE as we now turn towards national event planning in the summer, pray that God will lead us. Pray for us as we finalize curriculum and choose the annual theme and book to study.

-Pray for our staff as we finish the school year and that our staff will stay encouraged and have good endurance, also for all students as they move into exams and finish their school year.

Thank You again for your prayers and partnership!

May God bless your continued spring season!