Perspective Matters

In my four years in Brockville, I don't know that I’ve seen as much snow as we got last weekend. Between Thursday and Sunday, there was a significant blanket of snow that covered our region. But... I mean... it wasn’t that much. Have you ever lived in the Maritimes? That's a typical snowfall you might receive every 3 or 4 weeks - and the Maritime winters are much longer than they are there. When I share that, people seem surprised. So which is normal?

Sometimes our surroundings shape our perspective. Take a moment to read 1 John 2:24-27. Though we have the truth inside us through what we read in scriptures, there are often voices that attempt to shape or reshape what we believe - culture has a funny way of doing that. John the Presbyter warned his congregations of false teachers (those trying to reshape the gospel); not much has changed. Whether it’s marriage, identity, politics, climate care, or the ”right way” to do church, we have voices that seek to reshape what we only know to be true through scripture and relationship with Jesus.

No matter where you find yourself in culture or how your surroundings attempt to shape you, remember that it is the power and presence of the Holy Spirit that helps you discern what is true. Jesus said in John 8, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”