Maybe things aren't what they seem?

     We all have a view of our world that differs from everyone else's world view.  That doesn't mean the view is wrong; it just means the views are different.  I have several views of the world from my lifetime.  The biggest difference was before Jesus and after Jesus.  I also have my "kid on the farm view" versus big kid in the city view.  Then there is the US Army Sargent view versus the unemployed searcher view.  Probably the biggest difference came when I worked with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Germany and then transitioning to being part of a church in California.  Talk about whiplash.  Maybe you share the different view from single to married or from husband to husband AND father?  I've had 16 different vocations over my 62 years and each one had a different view.  So, what am I getting at?  Why is it important for Christians to have a point of view and to recognize that others can have a different point of view and be Christian as well?  Some of the changes from one point of view were intentional while others were natural evolution of who I am.  Still others were put upon me whether I wanted them or not.  I can be sure of this:  all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called by him.  Sometimes that's hard to understand much less accept when we are in the midst of the world and it's view of who we should be.
     Paul desired to be "all things to all people" that through Christ living through him the Gospel would be offered to all people.  Paul had quite a few different views of the world he lived in and people he lived amongst.  He was an Israelite who was trained in the Old Testament beliefs.  In fact, it was to such a degree that he could not see another view as anything but a threat to his religion.  He killed those who disagreed with the blessing of the religious authorities.  He was on his way to kill off some more of the Christians when his view as changed and things were no longer what they were.  In fact he was to go and present himself to a believer for healing and guidance after the Lord blinded him.  Everyone knew that Paul (then Saul) was on a mission to stamp out Christianity.  Believers were anxious to the introduction of this man as a Christian now.  Fear captivated the Christians of the power and destruction this man could wield.  But God changed their view as well.  Paul went on to be the man of God many of us desire to be.  Truly it was no longer Saul who lived by Christ who lived in and through Paul.  Can I say that about me?  In some instances.  I'm imperfect and that's a view of it's own.
     What God intends as good for us we often see as not good.  The negative occurrences in our lives and the lives of those we love seldom take us to a place of thankfulness.  Rather we are taken to a place where our faith is shaken and challenged.  Why did my loved one die?  Why did your loved one become disabled?  What life's circumstances are taking place that change your view of life and in particular your faith in God?  Do you see the changes as hindrances or do you see them taking you to the next level of faith in what God is doing?  Do you see yourself as part of the plan of God or as the victim of the world?  I've said it and heard others say it many times that we/they have questions of the "Why?" nature to ask God when we get to heaven.  In reality all that is unclear will have no importance in heaven as we will be focused on loving and worshipping Jesus.  The questions won't matter anymore.  What will matter is what we leave behind from our particular point of view.  Did we let the view of Christ live through us and our lives?  Did our view hinder or help people find Jesus?  Sometimes things just aren't what they seem.  That's because the plan of God is so much bigger than me.  I'm part of the plan for sure.  I'm not THE plan for sure. 
     Sometimes we see things differently and let them get in the way of where and who God wants us to go and be.  Sometimes we get ahead of God and he has to slow us down or even stop us in our tracks.  All in all, as a believer we are challenged to get out of the way but instead be the way for Christ to reach a world that hasn't received the view of what new life in Christ can be for them and those they love.  Just as it's always their choice, it's our choice as well.