Perspectives and paradigms have always intrigued me, from the way they develop to the influence they have on our lives. Regardless of how hard we try, our actions can only be severed from our perspectives for so long until we revert back to the way we truly see life. Therefore, it is important that we understand something about them.
The words perspective and paradigm can be used interchangeably. Basically, they constitute the glasses through which we see life. More interestingly yet, they constitute how we interpret life. For instance, two people can look at the proverbial cup of water filled to the halfway point. One sees it as half-full and is grateful to have so much left while the other sees it as half-empty and is saddened to know so little is left. Same glass. Same level. Two different pairs of glasses. Two totally different conclusions.
One of the biggest change points in my life occurred when I saw the Old Lady / Young Lady illusion picture.
Before this, I was always of the opinion that fact was fact. What you see is what you get. It was only after I saw this middle illusion and realized that two people can see the same thing yet interpret it totally different and both be right and incomplete.
Our paradigms are comprised of our past experiences, training, human interactions, biases, losses, disappointments and numerous other inputs. Negative or unbiblical things that come across our paths cause cracks on the lenses of our lives, exaggerating or distorting the accuracy of those events and our interpretations of those happenings. Children who are brought up in dysfunctional or abusive homes may think everyone is against them or they are the victims of life. They can become negative, resenting the successes of others. Their lives spiral downward and smaller.
Sometimes things happen outside of our control like the death of loved one, a major illness or a financial setback. These too can change how we see life. I have seen young, optimistic adults grow old and miserable due to unmet expectations. This is why we need to engage our children and point them to the Bible and to a God who is great and good in spite of what goes on around us. Romans 8:28 declares that all things can be turned around for good because of the glory of God at work in our lives. Now, that is a good perspective.
And speaking of good. When parents allow the Holy Spirit to bring health and healing to their own lives, it will allow them to raise their children in a healthier and more biblical context and not out of their unmet needs. If you disciple your children at home, you will also spare them so many of the attacks of their peers who have been hurt by the sinful waves of life that have crashed upon the souls of their hearts. At what point the enemy tells you, “You are a terrible parent, and you are messing your children up by keeping them with you,” you must know that he is a liar and the Father of Lies. He realizes the pain and sinfulness you are saving your children by keeping them at home in a loving and nurturing environment. No, it is not a perfect environment because we are imperfect people, but it is so much better than the alternative.
As we spend the month of June talking about perspectives and paradigms, let us cry out to the Lord to show us truth, so we can raise our children in the ways of the Lord.
-300x147.jpg)
