Keeping A Level Perspective
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Imagine for just a minute that God has commissioned you to produce a full length documentary film of your life. You are not just to be the main character in the film but you have been asked to be the camera person as well. The journey of our lives often requires us to traverse uneven and treacherous terrain. Filming on uneven ground requires a three legged tripod. If a camera stand had four legs it would wobble. Our faith will wobble too if it is not firmly grounded on three legs. Please read more.
Life’s journey is a perilous path because we live in a broken world, and we ourselves are broken people. Sin and life itself can present us with some difficult obstacles to navigate. Spiritually speaking, we can easily step on some rocks, get stuck in the mud, fall on sloping terrain, slip on wet grass, or step into a hole.
To capture our journey on film we need to have our cameras well anchored. Three legged camera tripods are used because they can provide a level perspective in all types of uneven topography. With three adjustable legs, each leg can be set at the correct height to level out the camera.
Our faith needs three legs too. Those three legs are prayer, study and action. It has been written that we inhale through prayer and study so that we can exhale true Christian action. If at any time our relationship with God seems off balance, it is usually because one of these three spiritual legs is not firmly grounded.
When a person holds a camera while standing on uneven ground, they often don’t realize that the shot they are filming is also slightly tilted. It becomes obvious however as soon as they play back the film. That is why the three legged tripod is essential for a good shot.
It is much the same way with our spiritual life. We may not notice when we are off tilt. This is why it’s a good idea to meet regularly with a priest, minister, deacon, or spiritual advisor. They bring a trained and unique perspective and they can alert us when we are tilting, even when we can’t see it ourselves.
Prayer can take many forms, but in one form or another prayer is essential. In order to love God we must know God and in order to know God we must study His word. It is also vitally important that we take stock of ourselves. Knowing ourselves helps us to also know God. Prayer and study are the Christian oxygen that we breathe. Praying to God and studying His word, however, is not enough. We are called to put that knowledge and prayer into action. We must do an assessment and ask ourselves if we are bringing the good news of our savior to those we encounter in our life each day.
I’ll wrap up today’s short message with a few questions. How do you think the video of your life will turn out? Are you filming with a level perspective? How is your daily prayer life? Are you spending adequate time studying scripture? Do you conduct an examination of conscience each day to know yourself better? Are you putting your faith into action? And finally, do you have a spiritual advisor to help you edit your film?
God the Father financed your film with the death of His Son on the cross. We need to respond by producing the best film possible. My hope is that God awards each of us a Heavenly Oscar for our documentary!
Heavenly Father, please send forth your Spirit to inspire me every day to set aside time for prayer and study so that I can put your word into action and draw others to your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, amen!
As always, I love to read your comments below as well as hear from you personally by clicking here.
- Following From A Distance - April 21, 2024
- Eclipsed By Darkness - April 14, 2024
- Insurmountable Opportunities - April 8, 2024
Brian,
Thanks so much for this reminder. Those three simple words – prayer, study and action – also are connected to another deeply profound “tripod.” Namely – that of mysticism, orthodoxy and charity. The essence of mysticism opens our souls to the divine mystery of our God. Orthodoxy grounds us in the truth that is God. And charity connects us to the reality of God’s creation. Prayer leads us to mysticism. Study leads us to orthodoxy. Action leads us to charity.
And, I’ll contend, this “expanded tripod” is what will ultimately change our world. It’s not about fighting the culture war or marching for our favorite cause or electing the right politician. If we want to change the world around us, this tripod is a great and simple reminder. Unveil the awe inspiring mystery of our Creator – this is why we pray. Draw deep from the well of truth – this is why we study. And love everyone with unbridled compassion and mercy – this is why we take action. If we want to change the world, start with these three things.
Touch them with mercy.
Show them beauty.
The truth of Christ will find them.
Bob
Thanks for this deep, thought provoking and important insight. God Bless!
Brian
Brian,
I love the tripod analogy and the need for faith to be grounded firmly in prayer, action and study. All three seem essential to me. Though it does not fit the tripod analogy, I think there is another anchor that must be present, church or community. At least, that is true for me. You certainly hint at that in the idea of meeting regularly with a priest, pastor, etc. One of the things that tripped me up early in my young life for a long time was the notion that I could do faith alone. As a young adult, I believed that I did not need others- My faith was strong and individual. I am a slow learner, it took me 15 years to figure out that I needed a community of believers, a church.
Jim
Thanks for sharing. There is no doubt that Christian community is essential. Christianity is not a solo sport.
Brian
Wonderful analogy!
I have often noticed four-legged tables rocking because of an unlevel floor or because one of the legs is missing a pad. One might shim it with sugar packets to keep it from rocking. That fourth leg that the rest seem to rock on could be seen as our tendency to lean too much on the things of this world instead of the the things off the Kingdom of God.
Your idea of a level camera shooting the movie of our lives makes me think also of Dolly-Shots and Steady-Cams -to use Hollywood jargon. Think of the long continuous shot from the film “Good Fellas” following Ray Liotta’s and Lorraine Bracco’s characters downstairs, into and through a restaurant. Not a “Christian” movie but it illustrates my point. I feel if we do enough work on the three legs of Prayer, Study, and Action, we can internalize those “legs” and have our lives’ movies shot by a Steady- Cam -always in focus, well lit and with the bumps smoothed out somewhat.
Thank you for what you do Brian!
-Bob
Bob
Thanks for adding the continious shot to our firm. I like it. God bless!
Brian