Daily Delight

 Perspective - it’s an acquired skill. Having perspective means you’ve seen where your problem or present situation fits into the bigger picture. Perspective is developed over time - with life experience.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀While reading Philippians 1, I was struck by Paul’s perspective. Paul was jailed by the Romans for preaching and teaching about Jesus. Paul, who by all standards is in a bad situation, writes in Philippians 1:17-18 (NRSV), “the [false teachers] proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Do we rejoice in less than ideal situations hoping that no matter what, God gets the glory? Do I live a life that even when I’m disappointed or discouraged, people still see Jesus? Paul also writes, “And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” Philippians 1:14 (NLT) Even in jail, there is God-glorifying fruit in Paul’s life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The question struck me - what if I lost in the natural world to gain in the spiritual world? Where is God in my heartbreak? Where is God in my disappointment? Sure, if I’d written the script, it wouldn’t be this way. But what if God in His divine mercy intended it to be like this? Not so His beloved daughter could be hurt, but so I could know Him more intimately; so I could be refined by His restoring fire? So He could be glorified and magnified?

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” -1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV).

Lord, please give us the gift of your divine perspective in all circumstances.

About the Author

Elizabeth Blumer

Elizabeth, a 29 year-old with Southern roots, works in Silicon Valley as a Marketing Manager for Google.  With a love for travel, meeting people and experiencing new cultures, she’s followed the Lord’s call for this fast-paced season in life.  Originally from Atlanta, and currently residing in San Francisco, she’s also lived and worked in New York City and New Delhi, India.

Elizabeth has a heart for loving on and investing in the “next generation.”  She enjoys fostering and building Christ-centered community in the areas the Lord has placed her.  In India, Elizabeth started an English school for children in a village near her church. At Google, she mentors young marketing professionals early in their careers.  Her goal is to become a Proverbs 31 woman - a Christian defined by grace, poise, Godly character and wisdom, and in her free time, she’s always ready to learn a new skill or have a good, heart-to-heart conversation while on a walk.

You can follow her on Instagram here and follow her blog, While I’m Waiting, here