Perspective

Once, in a history of drama class, my professor observed that we watch plays and read stories because we want perspective, the kind that life rarely gives us. We want to see the purpose of human actions, be they good or bad, in the grand scheme of things. Put simply, we want meaning. And if we can’t see it in our own lives, we’ll accept it vicariously.

I bring this up because two things are going on simultaneously. First, COVID-19 (Corona Virus) has become the equivalent of a giant blindfold over our perspective. All we think about, all we talk about is the virus. How many more people have died? How many new arguments are being debated in Congress? What’s the president saying? What’s he not saying?

The fact that many of us are stuck at home just makes it worse. Before this incident, I never fully appreciated how much even the drive to the church or a walk around the parking lot helps to clear my head. I often think: If I can just get out of the house and do something, I’ll get my perspective back.

But something else is going on: Living Hope Fellowship’s humble little New Testament reading plan. If stories give us the perspective on life that we crave, any one of the gospels give us the greatest perspective of all. They trace the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his death and resurrection. In doing so they tell the story that summarizes the whole emphasis of the Bible: salvation.

We have the opportunity to read not one gospel, but all four. Then we can read the Acts of the Apostles and see how the gospel of Jesus Christ changed their lives so much that they willingly risked and endured persecution so they could tell the world about their Savior. And it doesn’t stop there. The rest of the New Testament explains all the different facets of the gospel in the form of letters from the Apostles.

The life-altering perspective of the gospel doesn’t make trials go away, but it gives us faith to endure them. God’s plan for salvation is accomplished. But our story in it is not finished, neither is God’s purpose for us.

I strongly encourage you to stay in your Bible. You can start with our New Testament reading plan. When you’re done with that, read the Old Testament. Then read the new one again. God is giving us the opportunity to devote a lot of personal time to Him. Don’t miss out on what He wants to show you.