While on our Mediterranean trip, I made an effort to adjust my perspective beyond what was immediately visible. When we visited historical sites, I made sure I looked below and above.
Often, we see only what is right in front of us and lose perspective because we don’t grasp the full picture.
Following are thoughts on perspective and seeing what isn’t directly in our line of vision:
Beneath
I found it interesting to learn what archeologists discovered beneath grassy hills. Whole cities lay buried, waiting to be unearthed.
What in your life is buried that needs to be unearthed? Have you pushed down memories or events that need to be dug up and processed?
The Coliseum in Rome is often photographed upward, but beneath the floor is a labyrinth. When the Coliseum was in use, this labyrinth housed wild animals, gladiators, and prisoners prior to the “shows.” This area beneath was dark, dank, and smelly—the animals starved, the prisoners fearful, and the gladiators anxious.
What lies beneath your mask of a face? Are you struggling with fear, starving for friendship or love, or overcome by anxiety? Bring your buried emotions out into the light. Process your emotions and regain forward motion.
The part of our ship we could see was only part of the whole. Beneath the water was the source of locomotion. “Below stairs” housed over three hundred crew and personnel, kitchens, laundry, and other services that made the ship run smoothly inside and out.
Do you ever stop to think about those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, those who are rarely visible, yet do important work? Today, don’t forget to thank those who serve in many capacities, but rarely receive recognition.
Above
Often, we are so focused on deadlines, problems, and “to do” lists that we see only what is right in front of us. However, I have discovered looking up changes your perspective. When we look up, we see beauty we might otherwise have missed. We gain answers, inspiration, renewed vision, and enhance creativity simply by looking up.
Just outside Rome, we visited the Basilica of St. Paul. It is located away from the hustle and bustle, and allowed for moments of quiet reflection. Here, I made sure to look up.
I found looking up also beneficial at the Vatican. When so much is right in front of you, you must be intentional about casting your gaze upward.
In many churches, clerestory windows provide light below while illuminating beautiful artwork above.
Sometimes, even when we are on a mountaintop, our vision is hazy, but, if we are patient, our perspective clears. In the same way, God lights our path when the way seems unclear. Trust Him for next steps and a greater perspective on what lies ahead.
“Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective” (Colossians 3:2 MSG).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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