What's Your Angle?

Everybody’s got an angle, a take, a perspective—
on escalating gas prices,
on the war in Iraq,
on immigration,
on poverty and AIDS in places like Africa . . .
but is it Yours?
Do we have Your angle?

Everybody’s got an angle, a take, a perspective—
on manhood,
sisterhood,
childhood,
motherhood . . .
but it is Yours?
Do we have Your angle?
-(adapted from a prayer by Chris Erdman)

This is the question that floods my thoughts and inhabits my daily activities. Do I have Your angle, Lord? Do I see the things that weigh heavy on Your heart (and do I do something about them)? Do I care about the things You do? Do I look at life from the angle of “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”?

My life is about learning to see from a new angle, a new perspective – one whose center point is firmly fixed on the cross and resurrection and whose trajectory is locked in on the culmination of God’s kingdom. But between these two points lies years, seasons, days, activities, choices….me.

I want to live my life – my everyday life – being about what God is about. I am after all a citizen of a different Country…of a different King. I want to live my life now as I will then – when I arrive in my homeland. I want to bring something of this homeland – this kingdom – to the people around me now.

As I learn to see anew each day, there are many things God places within my point of view. Mercy to the homeless, justice, living generously, loving (in practical ways) my neighbors and family, to name a few. But another remains . . . His Church. To be honest, some days I wish she was not part of my field of view, for she makes me frustrated and seems to have more issues than lovely qualities. But she is His Bride and she someday will not only be lovely, but stunning. Because I love Him, I love her - and long to see her healthy, vibrant, living now as she will then, seeing and doing the things her King sees and does.

Lord, cause me to have Your mind, Your angle, Your perspective, Your very Word on everyday matters. Cause me to see with Your eyes this life, Your church, and ultimately You. And once I see, help me to act in ways that show You to Your bride and to Your world and thus bring about the fulfillment of “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. Amen