Jul 19

I work with young people and know that often they do not think about this matter of their life ending when they least suspect it, like either of the two people in the bridge story. Yet, from time to time, their complacency is shaken up when one of their own dies in a tragic auto accident or by drugs or whatever. Then, for a while, they cry and realize that life should not be taken for granted and that it is very precious. But then that seriousness fades away and everything slips back to "normal" -- with the lesson seemingly forgotten.

We humans often take the precious life we have with far less seriousness than it deserves. We get so caught up in enjoying life that we forget how fragile it is and how quickly it can all end. We frequently have a wrong perspective on life and reality.

In our real-life story of our would-be rescuer of the man drowning in the river, he thought that the earth was very close to him, therefore he thought that he would not be harmed by jumping out into that reality. But his false perception of reality misled him. In actuality, he was much farther away from what was real than he imagined, and his leap into the unknown caused him much pain and suffering -- and could easily have killed him.

This is as good an illustration of our own situation regarding the impact of perspective on reality as I can think of. It truly is a matter of life and death, and the wise person will think much on this truth and then test to see how well his or her own view of reality matches up with what God's Word says.

Scripture for today: Ezekiel 18:25-29
Thought for today: God gives me the right perspective on reality.
Prayer for today: Show me, Lord, what is wrong with my perspective on reality, so that I may know the truth and live by it.

JUL 19