Wednesday, May 28, 2003
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Wednesday, May 28, 2003 |
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Putting things into proper perspective By JOHN HATCHER Perspective. That's why God gave us two eyeballs. With two eyeballs, we can gain perspective on an object, sizing up form and distance. With only one eye, we can only see flat with no depth perception. My late precious Aunt Willie, due to cancer, had one of her eyes removed. From that point on, she could not see depth in reality. Her brain had memorized patterns of light and darkness and therefore she could manage traffic. But not with real depth perception. One of my favorites, Desi Arnaz, gave the American television audience real perspective for the first time on TV as he introduced the use of two cameras to record "I Love Lucy." It was the first time a TV show had been recorded with the use of two cameras, flipping from one to the other. I thank God for perspective. Every time I step into my shower, with its cold and hot running water, I thank my God for such. You see, I have perspective. For there was a time when a bath for me meant the back porch and a pail of water (hopefully warmed somewhat from the stovetop). Pity that so many of children mine included have always experienced hot and cold running water. They have always had a shower. Some guys don't know what it would be like to take a tub bath. Perspective applies to our life with and without God, too. What was my life like without God at its center? You say, lots of fun. I say, no necessarily so. Picture this: Richmond, Virginia, 1971. Attending a friend's wedding. At the reception, the champagne was flowing free. They kept filling my glass. That night I experienced all the "fun" of drink. It gave me the contrasting perspectives of awaking with a headache the size of Virginia, along with nausea the size of Georgia, and the awaking the many times when all I had the night before was a glass of Coke. Big difference. Perspective. You bet. I prefer what Coke gives me the next day. Why? I got a perspective. The ministry God has given me to Uganda provides more enriching perspective. One of my pastoral counterparts is Bethuel Dongo. His church is bigger than mine is and he personally has started ten new churches by training and sending out ten pastors. He receives $150 each month in compensation. He and his wife have four children of their own and have adopted six more whose parents died of AIDS. Introduce some perspective. Pastor Dongo worries about enough beans and rice to feed his children while currently I am worrying about hot and cold running water as my water heater has died. While I may be concerned about the cost of using air conditioning in the summer months, Pastor Dongo is concerned about blowing rains coming during a worship service because they have yet to afford windows for their church building. While I may be concerned about a child coming in and out of a worship service, Pastor Dongo is concerned about a stray dog showing up for worship for they have yet to install a door. Perspective! I believe perspective has a tendency to make one grateful for what we have and a tendency to help the have-nots a bit more. Steve Foster, who first introduced me to Uganda, has said many times that Americans experience the tyranny of our possessions. Go to a third world country and compare what you own to what they own. You will get a perspective of just how much your possessions have us enslaved. Many churches are now offering mission opportunities for regular members to go to their world countries to hit a kick for God and see what life is like. I strongly encourage you to go. It will give you a perspective that will enhance your vision about everything. John Hatcher is pastor of Outreach International Center 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive Fayetteville, Georgia 30215 770-719-0303 |
