perspective series: wrong perspective

perspective

noun

noun: perspective

1. 
   

   
   

   the art of representing three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other.

   
   
   

   • the appearance of viewed objects with regard to their relative position, distance from the viewer, etc.

     
     

     "a trick of perspective"
   • a view or prospect.

     plural noun: perspectives

     synonyms:

     view, vista, panorama, prospect, bird's-eye view, sweep, outlook, aspect; archaiclookout "a perspective of the whole valley"

   • Geometry

     the relation of two figures in the same plane, such that pairs of corresponding points lie on concurrent lines, and corresponding lines meet in collinear points.


2. 
   

   a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view.

   
   

   
   

   
   

We all know that baby photos are adorable.

…But what makes us love them so much? Aside from how cute (and often hilarious) they are, I think baby photos are so treasured because they remind us of who we were and how far we've come. Over the years, we've changed and learned, taken major milestones and transformed into people almost unrecognisable from their younger selves.

Yet somehow, photos taken during our adolescent years do not invite the same warm fuzzy feeling. While most of us have amazing memories and fondness attached to these years, we can all admit to the recollections of awkwardness, irritability and frequent embarrassment that closely follow. While the baby pictures provide a safer distance of retrospect, the teenage pictures are a little too close to home. A little too… cringey. For many young adults, parts of us still remain stuck there, reminding us that we may not have changed as much as we'd hoped. Potential bad habits or quirky traits we thought we left behind may have followed us into our later lives. In retrospect, I’m sure we all have a few tips for our younger selves to avoid embarrassment. Things we might have done differently to prevent future problems. But that's only because we now have the gift of a new perspective.

A fresh perspective helps us see things from a new angle. It is highly valued for its ability to bring life and vibrancy to something seemingly dull and drab. Many travel around the world for inspiration. Some squint at paintings whilst others turn things upside-down to find a new way of appreciating their beauty. Musicians often write some of their best songs on tour, with the fresh and exciting energy of each new city bringing endless inspiration.

But we can only have a new perspective on ourselves when we look outside of ourselves.  I had an experience like this recently. 

I was on a trip to Seven Sisters with a friend, looking up from the foot of a cliff. In that moment, I couldn’t have felt more insignificant. The magnificence of something so much bigger than me was extremely intimidating…. yet… somehow… liberating. The more time I spent looking up, the more relaxed I felt. Being surrounded by something so much bigger and greater than myself began to feel freeing. Somehow, my worries and problems went away for a moment, because I was no longer focused on myself.

When faced with trials and difficulties, God offers us a new perspective, encouraging us to take our eyes off our situation and look up to Him. The Bible summarises this beautifully in Psalm 121:1-2, saying:

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth”

Seems simple enough.

Unfortunately, life makes every attempt to keep our minds from this sweet, simple solution. There is so much to distract us and hold us back from the peace that follows when we fix our eyes on Him. I’ve decided to focus on a few of the most common examples in depth over the next few blog posts, including "comparison" and "self-love". 

But first, let’s focus on "wrong perspective".

WRONG PERSPECTIVE 

Have you ever felt like no-one actually knows the real you? It’s a bit of a deep question I know… but I’m sure your answer is probably yes. All of us have felt this at some point, but it tends to hit hardest when we find ourselves in a new situation or environment. Uni is a great example. We’re surrounded by countless new people and endless opportunities to get to know them. But with conflicting timetables, jobs, exams and coursework, it can be difficult to find time to develop deep and meaningful friendships. It can also be difficult to find people who think like you in a place with so many different interests and opinions. Stress, depression, anxiety and lack of confidence can all have isolating effects, causing people to become shy and reclusive during their student years. To top it all off, comparing our old friendships formed over the years to newer ones fresh-from-freshers-week can make us feel like we are not fully know or appreciated.

But have you considered that there may be more than one “you”...?

(A strange idea, I know, but hear me out...)

Medics, nurses and other healthcare workers are held to a high standard of professionalism. This is because patients and the general public are trusting them with their health, wellbeing and other confidential matters. As a healthcare professional, this is an immense privilege that deserves to be reflected in their behaviour. This means that they cannot simply have a "work version" of themselves that they can take on and off like a hat. What they do, say and post about on social media can be seen as an overall representation of their field. So if they act, speak and post unprofessionally, it can damage people's trust in the profession. In this way, maintaining this professionalism means the healthcare sector is represented well and with integrity, so the public can have confidence in them. 

So what does this have to do with having peace?

In the same way, we should consider how we represent ourselves to others. Are we giving them a true and accurate picture of ourselves? After all, the representation we give people can often define how we are treated by them. Of course our behaviour and actions can vary, depending on our emotions or social contexts, but all in all, can we say that we are genuinely being ourselves most of the time? Do we live a life of integrity? Perhaps we have a “work version" and "uni version” and a “home version” of ourselves... where one DARE NOT overlap with the other. Maybe we constantly base our representation on who we're with and what they think. The truth is, being our “whole selves” 100% of the time is hard…. because if we put ourselves out there and people don't agree with us or like us, they could reject us altogether, which is a painful reality for many people. 

Fear of rejection is ultimately the root of these different “versions”. 

Some “versions” are tailored to what we think people want to see. Other “versions” involve putting walls up to protect ourselves, or oversharing and overbearing in hopes of connecting with someone. The problem here is, either way, no-one gets to know the real you… and how can they fully know you and appreciate you if they have the wrong perspective of you.

But there is hope. In those moments of feeling that no-one knows the "real" us, we are not alone. God created us and is truly the only one with the right perspective of us. We don't need to worry about representing ourselves to Him, because He knows us in and out, better than we could ever know ourselves. Regardless of how many “versions” we have, He is the only one who truly sees it all and loves us fully, regardless of what we do, say, post or even think. It’s hard to even imagine a love like that. But that’s the love God has for me and you. So much so that He gave up His only son so He could have a relationship with you, where you are fully known and appreciated.

Living in truth

I think it's time we start being honest, with others and with ourselves. Whether you've been pretending your whole life or you occasionally slip into one of your "versions", it’s never too late to start living in truth. Though the fear of rejection can creep up on us, the Bible addresses this in a refreshing way.

Jesus and His disciples were hated by the world, as He describes in John chapter 15, verses 18 to 25: 

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¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹ They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. ²⁵ But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.

~

Jesus' lifestyle, views and beliefs were and are unconventional and unorthodox in any society, from ancient times to modern day. This meant He was hated by many of the people of His time (our first-world, modern day nightmare).

But while the world may fixate on outward appearances, God looks at the heart. He knows who He's created and called us to be, offering us the chance to look to Him and find the peaceful true perspective we so desire. This is described beautifully in 1 John chapter 3, verses 19-24:

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¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. ²³ And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

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To put it plainly, we know deep down when we are not being true to who we are. Our hearts will lead us and tell us so, or "condemn us" as the passage describes. As we take our eyes off ourselves and follow this invitation to believe in Jesus, our hearts are transformed and the Holy Spirit will give us the right perspective on ourselves and those around us.