It's a Get-To

It’s a “get to,” not a “have to” ~ Pastor Mark Childers

With all the circumstances, situations, and conversations we are involved in everyday it’s not surprising that our response is not always the best.  However, our actions or reactions are all based upon our perception and perspective of each situation.  Perception is how we look at the situation determine, “what’s really going on.”  For example, you share news with a friend that you’ve just been blessed beyond belief and their only response to you is one of anger and rage.  Your perception gives you the ability to look past their “outward” attitude and realize that there might be hurt going on inside and their reaction is simply the pain talking.

Perspective, however, is looking at a situation and evaluating every aspect to determine its level of worth.  Those you determine have a higher level of worth are the things you tend to hold on to and remember, while the other items tend to be discarded.  In the situation above, your perspective will determine how you feel as you walk away from it.  If you value your friend higher than your own hurt feelings, your perspective will label the situation as something to the effect of, “my friend’s in pain and needs extra love and prayer.”  If, however, you value your own hurt feelings above your friend’s, then your perspective will probably label the situation as, “Note to self: don’t share future blessings with that person.”

Both perception and perspective are very important in every situation.  The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” (Colossians 3:23).  If we walk into every situation with that in the forefront of our minds, our perception and perspective will be more focused on, “I get to…” interact with this person, love on them, show them grace in a difficult situation, do my best, honor them, etc.  If we are focused on “have to”, it removes our joy, and we begin grumbling and complaining.  Take a look at  how you view things.  The Bible calls us to “do everything without arguing or complaining,” (Philippians 2:14).  Try to stay focused on “get to”; make it a priority to have it be your first thought in every situation and see how it changes your perception and perspective, no matter what the circumstance.