I think most people cringe when they think about the word pride, I mean none of us want to be associated with it. That would mean we’re arrogant, selfish and rude. While it might mean those things at times, I think most of the time pride is when we allow everything to become all about us. And it’s just so easy to do too!

Before you know it pride will have you wallowing in self pity, stuck on a one track story where you’re perpetually the victim. It’s greatest tactic is to keep your vision narrow and your perspective low.

And its true sometimes our circumstances can seem overwhelming and crushing maybe but how much more when we can’t see the bigger picture beyond ourselves? Narrow points of view are sure to keep one down. What we often fail to think about though, especially in those tantalizing moments, is that over focusing on ones self is actually blocking purpose.

When our gaze is so focused on self we become spiritually nearsighted. Seeing only that which is up close but never able to grasp an understanding of a reality beyond our current state. The ability to see far off is pivotal in understanding the roles we play in the grand scheme of eternity. We loose focus, fail to see the impact we have on the lives around us, fail to see direction, fail to find purpose, fail to know TRUTH!

When you can’t see, you have a subjective reality rather than objective. Truth becomes what you perceive it to be rather than actuality.

Psalm 121:1  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Proverbs 20:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:

I keep hearing the phrase, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone, I can see all optical illusions in my way.” Things are not always what they seem and they are subject to change. The ability to see with clarity and accuracy is a big deal. Far too often we end up stumbling around trying to figure out which way is up. It’s like living in a mirage or one of those fun houses we all like to walk through at the fair. Trying to get through one of those without hitting a few walls or a dead end is a puzzle. We need clarity that only the truth can provide us. Sometimes the enemy just wants to get us all worked up over and illusion, a false reality, smoke and mirrors. God is not the author of confusion, He has given us sound minds. Minds that work well. It is the enemy who clouds the truth because it is the truth that frees us!

An optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is an illusion caused by the visual system and characterized by a visual percept that appears to differ from reality. -Wikipedia

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God is offering us a new, higher perspective. A visual point of view that is above the clouded tree line. It’s a whole new world when you’re above the trees! This portion of a song from the movie Aladdin plays in my head, ” I can show you the world, take you wonder by wonder….a whole new world!”

When you get glasses a whole new world opens up, things are clearer, everything makes some much more sense. God wants to give us the eyes of eagles like the forerunners of our faith who saw the promise far off. They didn’t just believe it was out there somewhere floating in space, no, they SAW them far off!

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Now that you’ve had a heavenly perspective lift and a new set of lenses you’re well on your way to your next assignment. Time to live with purpose! In biblical accounts we read about stories of Gods people possessing the land and many times before hand they would send in spies. Undercover insiders to gather secret intel. Noah sent out the raven and the dove (birds eye view). Moses sent Joshua and Caleb. There’s something about seeing whats yours before you can fully take ownership. Seeing it, takes it from dream to reality.

When God sends you into a new land there might be obstacles. For Noah it was a whole lot of water, then moving out of a big boat down off a mountain. For the Israelite’s it was the Jordan river and giants. You’re sure to face some obstacles but there’s always a grace to face the giants who occupy YOUR land!

Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!