Finding Faith ... in perspective

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since becoming the clergy leader at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn., in November 2017, I've written a monthly column for our church newsletter. This column originally published in the January 2020 FLC Newsletter.

As I sit and write this, I am sitting in a sun-drenched terrarium at a beach resort in Galveston, Texas. Thanks to my work at Forum Communications Co., I am off to a newspaper convention on the coast of Texas. And I fully admit, this particular trip has had its benefits.

To my right, if I look out the window, I see amazingly beautiful tropical plants growing in every variety of color. … They are stunning! ... To my left is about a tennis court-sized fountain with water flowing down rocks, making a peaceful gurgling sound. … In the pond at the basin of the waterfalls are an assortment of colorful koi fish, some so big they look like monsters!

I can see the sky out the 15-foot tall floor-to-ceiling windows, and it is blue, full of white, fluffy clouds, and there is a breeze that is wafting in the ocean air to my sitting place.

I have a delicious cup of coffee on the table near me, and I just finished reading a great daily newspaper.

Frankly, the day is absolutely gorgeous. ... I couldn’t want for anything more right now.

On the other hand, right this very minute, my wife is at home dealing with blizzard conditions. … Our Moorhead school kids did not have school. Bur our Fargo girl did, and that school got called out early. So, Shelley had to scramble from work, in blizzard conditions to drive across town, pick up Ava, and then return to work.

Adding to the mess, we have two dogs who are going nuts because they haven’t had a normal exercise routine in days because of the brutal winter weather.

I see reports of negative double-digit temperatures. And I see other news headlines advising no travel at all.

I’ve lived through enough blizzards in my life to know that the sky is not blue and filled with fluffy, white clouds right now there.

And frankly, I know the day there is not gorgeous, and that my wife would rather be anywhere else right now. … And she is likely cursing me under her breath!

So what’s my point? … This: Everything is about perspective. At this very same moment in time, I’m “living the dream,” as the kids are so fond of saying these days. ... And my wife is living anything but the dream. ... Our perspectives of looking at this day are 180 degrees opposed to each other.

I was reminded of how important perspective is this morning when I saw a poignant meme on a pastor friend’s Facebook page. The meme read something like: “Remember that in 2020, the God that so loves and adores you, also loves and adores the very people you will spend this entire year opposing.”

“Wait, what?” I thought as I saw that. … Scrat-c-c-c-h-h-h (record scratching sound!) … Let me back up and read that again: “Remember that in 2020, the God that so loves and adores you, also loves and adores the very people you will spend this entire year opposing.”

Now that was some heavy truth dropped on me right there!

I think it’s easy -- especially easy for Christians, I think -- to get a bit aloof in our attitudes sometimes. … It’s easy to think: “Hey, I’m a good person. I strive to help others, read my scriptures, go to church. I know what the Lord wants from me.” But then we turn and think. “But that person doesn’t. … Oh no, they got the devil in them. I’m superior to their ways.”

And, yet, we often forget that very same person may consider themselves a Christian too! … And maybe thinking the very same negative thoughts about you! … “Oh no, they got the devil in them. … I’m superior to their ways.”

We shouldn’t forget this, but we do. … Our God is the same God who will love us and forgive us for our transgressions, even the ones committed against his other children of God. … AND he does the same for those whom we might oppose. ... Be they political adversaries, social frenemies, the do-gooder parents at school who always one up you, the neighbor who doesn’t shovel their snow, the paper boy who can never quite get that paper on your doorstep, the terrible driver that just cut you off or that louse that took up two parking spots because of their selfish parking.

Here, I’ll say it again: Yep, God … our God … loves each … and … everyone of them as much as he does you or I. … And he always will. … And that is a humbling thought, isn’t it? … Frustrating maybe at first! … But eventually humbling!

And you know why it’s humbling? … Yep, you got it. … Because at some point in our lives, each and everyone of us has been “THAT” person. … We’ve cut off someone in traffic.

We’ve stolen a parking spot close to the store that someone with a physical disability could have used more. We’ve been the political opponent. We’ve snubbed someone because we just didn’t feel up to a conversation. … And the list goes on. … In our own ways, big and small, we’ve each been that terrible person at some point in our lives, and God still loves us.

So, as I sign off from Galveston, Texas, let me leave you with this thought: The next time you think, “Aww, man, so and so is such a tart! … I cannot believe they would vote for this person! Or I cannot believe they support this or that!” … And just as you are about to cast judgement and dispersion on that person, think about perspective. … Think about where you are coming from, and where they are coming from. … And then, take a pause, and then take a breath … And remember that God loves them every little bit as much as he does you!

And thank … God … for … tha