GAINING PERSPECTIVE
Telescopes help us see things very far away and offer us a unique perspective beyond our normal vision. They have totally changed our perspective of the universe and our position in it. Telescopes are constantly improving and changing our perspective of the solar system and planets like Venus.
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The radio telescope can show radar images which go below the cloud cover on Venus and can penetrate a half mile below the surface and help map the planet’s terrain.[i]
For the last 30 years the Hubble space telescope has explored distant galaxies and black holes. Discoveries like these will change our perspective of the history of the universe and promote the discovery of things never seen or contemplated before. As new discoveries are made, it leads to new perspectives which then lead to additional discoveries that result in changing perspectives.
Often in life, we can lose perspective and struggle to see and understand things in the proper light. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can make a big difference.
PRISON OF THE FORGOTTEN
After Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, he caught the attention of his master’s wife. She found him attractive and tried many times to seduce him into sleeping with her. Joseph knew better than to romance his master’s wife. He turned down her advances and kept his distance. Despite his honorable character, Joseph was falsely accused of taking advantage of Potiphar’s wife. In her scorn, she framed him and lied about what happened. As a result, Joseph went to jail for a crime he did not commit.
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Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. (Gen. 39:19-20, NLT)
Falsely accused. Falsely imprisoned. Joseph lost his position, and his life took another downturn. Betrayed again, he was left in prison for years and was eventually forgotten. Just when it seemed his life and situation were improving, it all fell apart again. The injustice and unfairness of his circumstances must have weighed heavy on his heart and mind.
It is incredible that after all this, Joseph earned the favor and trust of the prison warden. Joseph’s faith, noble conduct, and resilience were rewarded again as he was placed in charge of the other prisoners. Even in jail, Joseph found himself in a leadership role. Again, the Lord was with him in exile, in slavery, and now in prison.
If Joseph took inventory of his life at this point, he would have very little perspective on what God was doing and why. His limited view from the cistern floor, from the bondage of slavery, or through the prison bars made it incredibly difficult to understand God’s will and purpose for his life. Joseph’s journey reminds us that leading well requires no small amount of perseverance and faith, especially in the absence of perspective. Thankfully, this was not the end of his journey.
How do you lead well when your circumstances cause you to lose perspective?
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Posted: July 2023 • Authors: Daniel Ely & Larry Ely
Excerpt: “Chapter 7- Change in Perspective: What Matters Most?” from Leadership and Faith: The Art of Leading Well.
© Larry Ely & Daniel Ely. All rights reserved.
[i] Diane Tedeschi, “The Planet Detective,” Air and Space Quarterly, (Washington, DC: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Fall 2022), 25-39.
In moments where I lose my perspective, I find myself sticking to how I feel rather than what I know. Then, I remember Ephesians 6 talking about the armor of God. When the devil comes with his schemes, we will be fully equipped with the biblical truth to hold on to. Through that is how I stick to leading well! Loved hearing about the Hubble space scope!
Great point! While our feelings are important, they can often mislead us. Agreed, we must hold on to the truth of God- especially when we lack perspective.
When things are not going your way it’s hard to have a good mind space to lead. You feel like going to a corner and hiding. You have to remember that God is in control and to just trust Him.
Yeah, it’s tough to lead when things aren’t going well. We definitely need to hold on to God and ask Him for strength and clear thinking.
Learning to take advantage of the liminal space between what has happened and what is in the future is a very difficult process. To not allow our emotions to take over, but to use our cognitive thinking and our understanding of Scripture to guide the journey is the key to making it through these difficult times. Joseph knew his reputation was better than silver or gold, or any momentary pleasure.
Yeah, it can be hard to have level headed thinking and lean on the Lord when our circumstances overwhelm our emotions. You’re right we need time and separation to see things in the proper light.
Often, when plans don’t go our way (especially when we are not at fault), it is easy to feel sorry for ourselves and if we are not careful, we might just give up. We must remember that God can use us in any situation and it is not Ourstory, it’s History.
You’re right, it is HIS story. Remembering that can help us gain a better perspective, but it can be hard to live that out.