Stone Island Perspective

Much delight and laughter came with a group of friends as we arrived on Stone Island for a quick impromptu party. It had to be quick. The island would disappear under the sea again in an hour or so. Normally one passes it with great care in a boat, taking heed of the warning buoys showing where it’s hidden under the shallow sea.

We enjoyed our time, seeing all the surrounding water and the nearby land from a completely different perspective than usual. Looking at the mainland, we could see buildings from a new angle. Some looked smaller, some larger, some seemed to disappear, or hide behind other buildings and trees. We enjoyed this new view of familiar places.

This prompted me to think of how God sees our lives and our thoughts from a completely different angle from us. He knows where dangers, which we can’t see yet, are about to be uncovered. He gives us strength and wisdom to deal with them. He also gives us warning signs of dangers in the spiritual realm, and discernment to recognise them, too.

Stone Island is a rocky outcrop, one hundred yards, long in Poole Harbour. The harbour is large, and there are hundreds of different perspectives, as one looks out over the water. Even the water itself changes in colour, motion and depth many times during a day. It’s still the same water, but it’s affected by such things as sunlight, wind and depth. It may be the same harbour, the same view, or the same island, but it can all look so different.

How can we plug into God’s perspective? We tend to see our lives as we’ve always seen them, in the light of our experiences, our relationships and our well practiced responses to things that have happened to us.

I’m sure you’re aware of what I call the ‘3am’ perspective, which is often irrational, scary and negative, and coming from a hurt place deep inside. At the time it seems to be the only view there could ever be, until morning, when it changes back to normal.

Jesus taught us about the Kingdom of God in parables, to help us understand His ways and thoughts. Let’s listen to His Word and His Spirit today. He can see the bigger picture. Let’s listen to His perspective, His warnings of danger and His delight in who we are, and how we’re living. He says “Come up higher, to where I am”.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your perspective on my life today. Please help me to see things as You show me in Your Word, and by Your Spirit. Show me any warnings I need to heed, and show me Your delight in me. Draw me higher and closer to Yourself. Amen.