The Gift of Perspective

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part… 1 Corinthians 13:9, AMP

I called my parents—who are in their eighties and live just down the street—to invite them to ride with me to the mall. My father had been restricted from driving for about three weeks after receiving a pacemaker, so I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to see whether they might enjoy a little outing. What I didn’t know was that my father had actually been cleared to drive just the day before. When I spoke with them, they said the ride would be nice, but my dad needed to stop by the clinic to get his blood drawn first. Then they would call me when they returned home and were ready to be picked up.

I had called around 9:45 a.m., and by 11:30 a.m. I still hadn’t heard from them. I had hoped to be on my way back from the mall by noon, so I started to feel anxious and frustrated that my schedule was now completely off. As I prayed for peace, I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to watch our church service online. I pulled up the church website and saw that a celebration-of-life service was being streamed live. I had forgotten that they sometimes broadcast those services. The woman they were honoring was a beautiful 97-year-old member of our congregation.

As I watched, her children and grandchildren shared how deeply they missed her. A video montage played, showing all the wonderful moments they had enjoyed together over the years. In that quiet, unexpected moment, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about perspective.

There I was, irritated about a delayed schedule, and I was about to miss the beautiful opportunity God had given me. We can become so distracted by our own plans and preferences that we fail to notice the blessings God places right in front of us. While I was stewing in frustration, there were people in that very service who would have given anything to have one more ordinary morning with their loved one.

When I finally picked up my parents, I learned that they had been stuck waiting at the clinic. My dad said the process usually went quickly, but for some reason that day everyone else was called before them. I believe their delay was God’s way of teaching me about His timing and reminding me of what truly matters.

“Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”

God loves us enough to gently reshape our plans so He can reshape our hearts. He gives us moments that open our eyes, helping us see not just with our natural understanding but from His eternal perspective.

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part…” — our view is so small, and His is so perfect.

Key Takeaways

• Without God’s guidance, our perspective stays small and limited.

• God works His purpose through every circumstance—even delays.

• If we cling too tightly to our schedules, we may miss God’s unexpected blessings.

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11

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