Last Updated on June 24, 2018 by OCF Communications

Seeing Around Corners, Part II

Every planner for ground tactical combat operations knows the value of seeing the area of operations from above. Looking down on the terrain, you see risks, opportunities, and new ways to achieve your objective that cannot be seen from the ground. Without such a view you are planning half blind.

There is an adage that says when in a quandary the Christian should look up. Yes, look up to the One who is our purpose, source, and strength. Nevertheless, we should also look down. Look down from a heavenly perspective, from God’s view, to see the situation more clearly, to be able to see around the corners.

Paul tells us that those alive in Christ are “… seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). He tells us that through the Spirit of God, “… we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Those truths are not simply spiritually positional—they are in reality available on earth to the one who seeks, relies upon, and grows in God’s provision for His disciple’s mind. He offers to us His view of what cannot be seen from an earthly perspective.

The foundation is set by a faith laid on the assurance of our position in Christ. In last month’s Leader Touch, we noted how such a foundation led Moses. The writer to the Hebrews said, “… for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:24). We build on the foundation by rising in faith to the heavenly places for God’s view of the day-to-day challenges we encounter. He has called us to engage in our work as unto Him here on earth, and He provides the heavenly resources to do so.

In responding to God’s call upward, we might ask ourselves some questions:

  • Do I begin each day centered on Christ and submitting my day’s challenges to Him? Have I started the day rising heavenly through the truth of His word and in discourse with Him?
  • When encountering challenges, do I ask for His perspective? In faith, do I seek to rise to a God’s-eye view of the worldly scene?
  • Have I trained my spiritual ears and eyes through “constant practice” (see Hebrews 5:14) to discern between God’s perspective and the counterfeits that seek my attention?
  • Do I respond in faith to the vision He gives me? Do I lead boldly with Christ-like character when God enables me to “see around corners?”