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  Have
you ever noticed how differently things can look depending on where you
stand? Standing on the outside of the church, this window looks
obscure, having no particular meaning and reflecting only an image of the
outside world. Step inside the church and the same window comes
alive with color, depth and meaning.
Before I believed in God, I always felt like I was on the outside of
the church looking in. Its beliefs seemed obscure to me, with no
rationale or real meaning. People in the church reflected much of
the outside world to me, and I often couldn't see anything different in
their lives.
Once I experienced the presence of God in my life, I found myself in a
very different position. Only then could I understand the holiness
of God, and see with clarity how the standards I had set for myself paled so
dismally in comparison. Only then could I understand His love
and mercy for us and how it can change the lives of those who turn to
Him. Perhaps to the those on the outside, I may still seem to be the
same person, reflecting much of the outside world. But on the
inside, there was a miraculous change in my perspective, and in my
heart. While I still pale in comparison to God's holiness, I now see
the much higher standard that He holds out for all of us. Day by day I find that I am less like the old me;
less self-centered, less troubled by life's worries, and no longer resentful of
people and circumstances that didn't fulfill my wants. With His
help and guidance, day by day I find that I am more like He created us to
be; more loving
of others, at peace with life and thankful for the many blessings we have
been given.
Sometimes what you see all depends on where you stand.
Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
For this people's
heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they
have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear
with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal
them. But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because
they hear.
Matthew 13:15-16
If
you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
Isaiah 7:9
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