Today we are going to discuss what are God-lens and why we need to pray for them.
As we grow in our walk with Christ, we come to realize that how we see the world is super limited.
If we are honest, we’ve become so accustomed to our own thoughts and point of view that we fail to acknowledge its uniqueness.
We have sojourned this entire life from childhood to now, seeing things our way.
What’s more, we often fail to acknowledge that the person next to us almost certainly sees from completely different lens than we do.
And how can they not right?
They literally do have a different set of lens!
Two people can be in the same place and witness the same event and come away from it with totally different conclusions.
This is simply a part of the human condition that we cannot escape.
But how do we navigate this reality?
And, how do we as believers, learn to relinquish the intoxicating need to be right?
This is where cultivating God-lens comes in.
But What Is This God-Lens We Speak Of?
God-lens, a term we’ve coined, refers to the divine, incorruptible , omnipresent and omniscient lens of God.
Technically speaking then, no human is capable of having God’s lens. We however get to pray for Him to show us right perspective.
By allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, we can take a radical stance of humility that teaches us to delight in being wrong.
Yes you read that right.
You see, whenever we relish being right, we miss out on opportunities to listen and learn from others.
God-lens helps us to shift our focus off of self and consider what triggers another persons actions.
It calls us to look at each person with love, appreciating their perspective without necessarily eliminating our own.
Biblical Characters Transformed By God-Lens
There are two stories in the Bible that illustrates this beautifully.
In Luke 10, we see Jesus visiting Mary and Martha. Martha concerns herself with the task of preparing the space for His arrival.
While she cleans and cooks, Mary opts to give Jesus her undivided attention.
She listens to Him and doesn’t leave His side, lapping every opportunity to spend quality time with the Savior of the world.
She decidedly doesn’t help with the preparations.
Martha marches out in righteous anger and confronts Jesus saying:
…“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Luke 10:40
So convinced is Martha that she fully expects Jesus to rebuke her sister for her inconsideration.Jesus instead corrects her wrong thinking by responding:
…“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41
Martha’s lens clearly were blurry despite her being certain she was right. She got works up about something that didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Her sister who she viewed poorly in this instant was actually right.
The next story that comes to mind is the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Upon the return of the young son, the father spared no resource in celebrating his life.
He welcomed his son with open arms and ordered all staff to quickly set up a feast.
His older brother who returned from his routine of loyal labor saw all the excitement and became furious.
Stewing in anger he accused his father of being unfair saying:
‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:29-30
His father then responded in love:
‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’
Luke 15:31
Let’s Make A Change
Let us therefore purpose to be un-offendable believers who delight in humility.
We need not impose our perceived ‘rightness’ on others because we embrace every lesson the Holy Spirit teaches us through all our interactions.
Let us be open to differing points of view and seek out opportunities to learn about ourselves through others.
By looking on in love and wearing our God-lens, we activate the fruit of the Spirit and become more like Christ.
We get to grow and they get to grow.
There is always room for a win-win situation when we involve God in all aspects of our lives.
Prayer for God-lens
Abba Father, You alone are all-knowing and all-powerful. You are truth and You are Love. Help me to speak in love and to honor You when I respond to others. Help me to let go of offenses and to take my frustrations to You in prayer first. Holy Spirit, convict me to seek out the lessons You so graciously teach and help me to let go of the prideful need to be right. Teach me to be humble and choose peace always. Give me the faith to forgive because You so mercifully forgive me. Thank You too Mighty God for giving everyone a unique perspective. Help me to remember that and honor others because we need each other. Help me choose to have a growth perspective and give me the the wisdom and humility to delight in and admit when I am wrong. Help me too Lord to be quick in obedience, responding to Your instruction to forgive. Show me where pride has blinded me and grant me greater empathy for others. Make me un-offendable and give me God-lens. Show me how to diffuse situations and fill spaces up with Your love I pray, In Jesus' name. Amen.