PUZZLE FOCUS

Over the Christmas holidays Gloria and I put together a 750 piece puzzle of a Normal Rockwell painting, 40 inches by 13 inches. Much of that puzzle was snow and sky so differentiating colors and puzzle shapes was essential. But we got it done. Since then when I drive I see what is before me as puzzlescapes. I notice the small white piece of birch bark left on a rotting tree, the orange plastic bag sticking out of the snow, the small patch of ice remaining in a green field. I notice how intricate the branch systems are on trees and the fine detail of the bulrushes along the highway. I am seeing the world with puzzle focus. I sometimes have to remind myself that I am not looking at a puzzle but the real world. Amazing what focusing on a puzzle can do to perception.

Let me translate this experience to our spiritual vision. Last week I spoke about the worldview outlined in the Bible which we have as Christians. Understanding this worldview is essential to our perception of the world today and how we are to respond to the circumstances we live in and the people around us. Too often as Christians we know this biblical worldview but live by the worldview of the unbelievers around us. We adopt standards of speech and dress and materialism and attitudes and goals that originate from a secular worldview and not a Christian worldview. We do this unconsciously because we do not have a Christian worldview focus. We do not apply what we know about the Christian worldview to everyday life. We know and confess the Christian worldview when required but live differently and do not notice the disconnect.

Applying the Christian worldview to daily life requires discernment and critical thinking. We must discern the worldview source of choices, attitudes, goals, statements, hopes against the standard of the Christian worldview and then respond accordingly in love, in the power of the Spirit. Applying the Christian worldview to daily life also requires courage and boldness, in humility and without self-righteousness. Applying the Christian worldview to daily life also requires perseverance and consistency with integrity. Applying the Christian worldview to daily life should be done in joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. Finally applying the Christian worldview to daily life requires a daily fellowship with God and reflection on the Word of God.

God has not only given us the exceedingly rich gift of understanding a Christian worldview but also the privilege and power to live it out as shining lights in a dark world. Let us love God with our whole mind and will, and enjoy the fullness He has granted to us as His children.