The Lens of Perception

The lens changes everything

This morning we grapple with the notion of perception. Until college I assumed the way I saw the world was the same view as the people around me. If we are both looking at the same thing or experience, then I thought our perception of it would have to be the same. But through events in my college experience like Shiloh and 9/11 my belief in some objective perspective and experience fell to pieces. At 24, I see more than ever that each of us see and judge the world through a unique set of lenses. Our lenses are most shaped by past and present experiences. Like no two people have the same fingerprints, so no two people share the same set of lenses. A better understanding of our lenses helps to bring focus to another's experience that we often don't understand. What has shaped Chris's lenses? Good Question.

1. Gender=Male. As a male I obviously lack serious understanding of the female experience. I have no idea how hard it was to achieve the right to vote. I have no idea how hard it might be for women to compete in a workplace dominated by the prejudices of males. Can I come close to understanding the frustration of a woman who is paid less for doing the same job? Instead of brushing off issues of gender in the workplace or in the church, all males need to take time to sincerely listen to women voice their concerns because for most of history it has been a voice that has been ignored.

2. Race= White. As a white male I lack the understanding of always being second guessed which is a part of everyday life for minorities in America. I am never randomly selected for search at the airport. I am never followed around in the GAP. Rarely do people ask for my ID. Cops always address me by my last name when they give me the ticket. What do I know of being made to feel like a criminal? What do I know of people doubting my intentions? What do I know of being arrested for walking in the wrong subdivision? Nothing. As such I need to surround myself more with people who don't look like me and deny the assumptions of Cable news that would have you believe that crime is an occupation of the minority.

3. Martial Status=Single. As a single white male I don't have a clue as to the simple and complex workings of a marriage. I struggle enough with committing to a favorite cereal let alone another human being for the rest of my life. Have I made any really tough decisions? Not really. But married couples make them everyday with bills and schedules. The single and the married really are two different worlds. Do I know the kinds of sacrifice it takes to keep a marriage going for 60 years? So when I can't understand when my married friends can't go out, maybe there's reason (and a good one).

4. Kids=None. If marriage is a different world, then having kids is a different universe. I love little babies just as much as anyone, but they don't go home with me and I'm glad. All I see is no sleep, diapers, and whiny 2yr old tantrums. But parents see something different all together. It's something I can never see until it happens to me. My only guess is that it is something that redefines grace has you see unconditional love take shape in human form.

5. Religion=Christian. Of the five I believe this to be the greatest influence of anyone's lenses. The confession of Christ as Lord is a bold claim and one many despise. In fact many have been killed for such a confession. The pagan sees the world as a creative accident where our actions have very little consequence. The Christian sees the world as a beautiful creation made with a purpose where our actions have eternal consequences. The pagan sees the need for vengeance and greed. The Christian sees the need for mercy and charity. The pagan sees the need for war. The Christian sees the need for peace. Many disagree with the Christian lens calling it everything from exclusive to idealistic. The Christian need not be offended when people accuse them of seeing the world wrong, but instead take time to understand why one feels the need for vengeance, greed and war.

So there you have five of the many factors that go into shaping the lenses through which I see the world. Right or wrong, it's me. What do your lenses look like? This week take time for better understanding of those around you. If you are surrounded by only those who look, talk, and act like you, then maybe it's time to broaden your experience. It seems awkward at first, but I’m guessing so is the first year of marriage, or your first child, or the first time you stand up for Christ. Maybe it's time for all of us to broaden our lenses of perception.


CJE


Coming Next Week: Setting Your Future In Clay

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Share In The Suffering

Suffering together, a novel concept?

"17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." - Romans 8:17


Today we discuss the idea of suffering. Those born only yesterday are excused from the discussion since you do not yet know the suffering that abounds in this world. For the rest of us, we must engage this discussion because it is essential to the calling and purpose of those who claim Christ as Lord. Christ was called to suffer. Christ's purpose was to suffer. If we are to embody Christ as the example for our lives, what then does the idea of suffering mean for us here in the 21st century? Suffering has been with the world since the beginning and has only increased over the centuries. We have reached a breaking point in the 21st century. Physical and spiritual levees are breaking all over the world unable to contain the immense suffering which has flooded the land and the soul with a suffering that seems never ending. What is the Church to do in the face of such suffering? Do we avoid it? Or do we share it?

What does it mean to suffer? Most people typically think suffering comes in two parts. First, we are surrounded by those whose suffering is physical. Some suffer from broken bones, but the majority suffers from terrible diseases that seem like an unstoppable force that can't be contained. I can't tell you how many people I know personally who have some form of cancer. Diabetes is rampant here in America and becoming more common in children. I haven't even mention the AIDS crisis in Africa which is blazing through Africa with no end in sight. Second, we are in the midst of people whose suffering is emotional. Most often we suffer emotionally for some one else who suffers physically. Funerals of course are the most ripe with emotional suffering. The loss of homes and jobs, like in the Gulf Coast, also bring on intense emotional suffering.

How does the Church respond? We embrace Romans 8:17 and we start to embrace suffering around us. It is human nature to avoid suffering. If you had to choose between relaxing and suffering, which one would you choose? Me too. Our desire to avoid suffering naturally increases when you have a family to keep safe. Parents, obviously, try their hardest to keep suffering as far away from their children as possible. The problem is how to embrace suffering and still keep our families safe. The answer might come in a new understanding of suffering. We need to extend our concept of suffering beyond the realms of the physical and emotional. Maybe we ought to let suffering touch the financial and spiritual areas of our lives. Instead of taking expensive two week vacations to Disney World, maybe our families choose to pay the electric bill of a single parent family who can't afford it. Instead of time shares on the beach, maybe our families share time with the widows that fill our assemblies. Instead of waiting for some one to ask for your forgiveness, maybe our families were the first to apologize for misunderstandings that are always mutual. Instead of clinging to our pride, maybe our families made themselves vulnerable to humility.

Extending the realm of suffering serves two purposes. First, it allows us to still protect our families from physical harm. What physical danger is spending time with a widow? What physical risk is there in paying for all the textbooks of a single parent family? Second, it teaches our families how to be more like Christ. Imagine the lessons our children can learn from spending time with those who are totally alone. Imagine the growth of our children when they are able to provide for a family that has nothing? Our families don't have to become martyrs to understand Christ better. If we allow our bank account and pride to suffer instead, then our families will be safe and taught life changing lessons they will never forget.

Remember, we do not suffer needlessly. Whether it be physical, emotional, financial or spiritual; there is a purpose to our suffering. Purpose still exists no matter how hard it may hide itself amid the hellish circumstances. What is the purpose to our suffering? It is Romans 8:17. We share in the suffering so that we may share in the glory. There is no Exodus without Egypt. There is no resurrection without the cross. Though we suffer now, I am convinced one day it will be redeemed.

So this week I encourage all of us to become aware of the suffering around us. This Sunday, especially, when the suffering most likely will be sitting right next to us. Like sandbags absorb the flood water, may we as disciples of Christ start to absorb the suffering around us. Our confession of Christ as Lord requires us to become more like Christ everyday. We must, as Christ did, begin to share in the suffering.


CJE



Coming Next Week: The Lenses of Perception

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