Fresh Perspective

Whether you are a student working on an term paper for a class, or in the working world completing project, it’s possible develop a bit of burnout and to lose focus along the way.  When I say lose focus, I’m referring to that part of the process where you get stuck.  You can read your reference materials over and over again, and you still can’t find that thing you need to put you back on track and reach the finish line. In times like that, it’s easy to do your own thing, follow your own method of getting the information you need (rather than what is tried and true), which can lead you to be even more confused than you were initially.  It can also lead to doing the wrong thing in the wrong way, all in the name of “getting it done” or “accomplishing your goal.” It’s in those moments that one can benefit from reaching out to someone they trust for assistance - someone who may have a different perspective than you do and can offer you a new way of looking at things.  The same is true in life.  From time to time, we can all benefit from a fresh perspective.

In my personal bible study recently, I was reacquainted the story of Absalom and his betrayal of his father, King David. (2 Samuel 13 – 18)  I can't recap all of the details here, but it's definitely worth reading and studying in your personal time.  The relationship between Absalom and David was a constant push and pull and sadly, led to destruction.   Absalom betrayed King David on a few different occasions: 1) He deceived David into allowing Amnon to come to a feast to celebrate his sheep being sheared, when in reality, he wanted Amnon there so he could kill him as revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-39); 2) Absalom begin to rebel against his father, King David who refused to see him for two years (2 Samuel 14); 3) Absalom completely rebelled against his father, and began to insert himself as a wedge between King David and the people of his kingdom, causing the people to betray King David under false pretenses.  He eventually stirred up a complete rebellion in a conspiracy to overthrow the King (2 Samuel 15:1-12).

Similarly to how David had to go on the run from Saul in his younger years, he found himself doing the same thing again because his own son, Absalom, was trying to kill him and takeover the throne as king.  Many discussions, battle plans, and attacks took place to reach the point of war between the Absalom and King David. The kingdom split as many joined Absalom in the quest against King David.  There were people who were previously supported King David that eventually began to support Absalom, and there were many who remained loyal to David and sided with him.  In the end outcome was not what Absalom or David would have wanted. Absalom lost his life in the battle against his father, and David lost his son. (2 Samuel 18:33)

As I continued to read about the contentious relationship between Absalom and King David it was really sad to see how things unfolded.  Because Absalom took matters into his own hands regarding the rape of his Sister Tamar, and was deceitful toward the King in doing so, a chain of events began to take place that could only be stopped by God.  In Absalom’s case, the Lord saw fit for King David to continue to reign and as a result, Absalom saw his demise.  I wonder how much different the relationship of David and Absalom could have been, if Absalom would have talked to his father as soon as he discovered what happened to Tamar, rather than thinking he knew best how to handle things.  What about you, can you relate to Absalom's thinking here?

To be honest, I too have been like Absalom and thought I knew best how to handle various situations in my past, without guidance or help.  Thankfully, in many of those situations, I talked to someone on my “board of directors” (a name my husband uses to refer to his inner circle, people who he trusts to be honest with him no matter what), who gave me a fresh perspective on how I was thinking about the matter.  Perspective (a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view) is so important because it truly shapes how we move forward regarding any situation.  It often shapes our feelings and if we are not careful, our feelings can take off running and lead to some truly unfavorable consequences. To put it plain, Absalom’s pride made him believe that he knew best, that he was and would be a better king and ruler.  As we all know via scripture, pride comes before the fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

In the new testament, the Apostle Paul faced a similar spirit when dealing with the Corinthian Church.  There was a spiritual pride that existed among the Corinthians that Paul was deeply disturbed by, in addition to the sexual immorality that existed among the church.  Regarding a particular situation, a member living in sin with his stepmother (1 Corinthians 5:1), Paul pointed out that the Corinthians were “so proud” of themselves, but in reality, they should have been “mourning in sorrow and shame” over what was going on in their fellowship. (1 Corinthians 5:2)  To help the Corinthian church understand how terrible this sin was, he used a comparison of yeast spreading through a batch of dough. (1 Corinthians 5:6) Paul then uses an old vs new analogy, pointing out how their old sinful behaviors should be replaced with new, Godly behaviors that are given to all of us freely through Christ Jesus.  In essence, Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to view the happenings with a fresh perspective, so that they would not continue living as through Christ hadn’t died for their sins. (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)

Brothers and Sisters, we all have a tendency to focus on things that we shouldn’t from time to time.  We all have the ability to move in “tunnel vision” about this thing or that, without considering all of our options.  We all can operate in pride, thinking we know best about a thing.  However, we owe it to ourselves to do all we can to gain fresh perspective about our dealings in life.  The only way that is solid, tried, and true is God's way via the Word.  As you make decisions in life from the small thing to the gigantic thing, do yourself a favor and filter it through the Word of God.  The Word IS alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), so it’s guaranteed to give you fresh perspective every time you read it.  We owe it to ourselves to remain anchored in the truth so that when we are faced with situations, we don’t lean to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7), but we lean to the truth of God through Christ. Ask God to reveal to you people that seek God first, that you can trust to be a part of your “board of directors.”  God will give you the wisdom you seek (James 1:5), and he will keep your perspective fresh, allowing you to freely walk in the path he desires for your life.

References
Biblica, Inc. (1984, 2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Harper Collins Publishers.

Britannica Dictionary. (2025). Britannica Dictionary: Perspective. Retrieved from Britannica Dictionary: https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/perspective

Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.