I read an illustration recently about a teenage boy who lost a contact lens while shooting hoops in his driveway. After a lengthy but fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found. Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the contact in her hand.

Surprised, the teenager asked, "How'd you manage to find it, Mom? I looked all over for it."

Smiling, she replied, "Son, we weren't looking for the same thing. You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150."

Now admittedly, most contacts are not anywhere near this expensive today, but the point is still well made. Our passion and persistence in doing something will be largely determined by its value in our eyes. In other words, perspective is everything. If maintaining a clean house is not that important to you, then it is unlikely that your house will be cleaned as often or as thoroughly as someone who actually enjoys cleaning and has a passion for it. If a person values getting to appointments on time, then he will be dedicated to making sure he leaves early enough to avoid being late (if at all possible). Again, if something is not perceived as very important or valuable in our eyes, our passion and persistence toward it will likely be minimal.

This principle is also true when it comes to spiritual matters. For example, sharing the gospel with our neighbor will never be a top priority as long as we see him as simply a middle-aged guy with a pot belly. However, when we view him as a valuable soul for whom our Savior died, one whose eternal destiny will be determined by his relationship with God, suddenly things are different. Perspective is everything.

If we see our involvement with the church as just attending services, performing acts of worship, or doing some voluntary chores around the building, we'll quickly lose heart. However, when we see our involvement as an essential element in building up the kingdom of God and in maintaining our own relationship with God, we will not "grow weary while doing good" (Gal. 6:9). Perspective is everything.

The apostle Paul commands all Christians - "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth...And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of your inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Col. 3:2,23,24). Yes indeed, perspective is everything.

Looking at earthly things from a heavenly perspective will change the value of those things in our mind. And that, in turn, should change how diligently we seek to do the will of God. How we view God affects how we view the things we do for Him. When we learn to truly love the Lord, nothing we can do for Him is a burden or nuisance. I John 5:3 declares - "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." Lovers of God seek opportunities to serve rather than waiting to be recruited.

Dear listeners, what kind of perspective do you have? Are you a lover of God and diligently seeking the accomplishment of His will in every facet of your life? If you are not passionate and persistent when it comes to serving the Lord, it must be the case that there are other things you value more. If this describes you, I plead with you to change your perspective and your actions today! If we can help you get right with the Lord, please do not hesitate to contact us.