We were talking about drivers on the interstate highways, and this fella said: “You can’t believe the crazy stunts they pull. They think they’re the only ones on the highway. You’d think they own the road!” I’ve said the very same things myself. When I made the remarks, I was talking about some of the truck drivers with their ’18 wheelers’. But these comments were made by a truck driver talking about people who drive cars! Clearly, it is all a matter of perspective.
This may have some application to some of the problems, fusses and misunderstandings that sometimes trouble the Lord’s church. Could it be that these might also be attributed to one’s perspective? “They’re not friendly over there.” “No one seems to care about me, or my problems.” “The preacher is too ... ” “The elders don’t ... ” “Sister So-and-so never ... ” Wait! Did you ever stop to analyze the problem from the other person’s perspective? Often if we take the time to look at the situation from the other man’s point of view we can gain some valuable insights that might help us work through the problem, resolve the fuss, and clear up the misunderstanding.
God’s word encourages us about such things: “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:2-5)
There are issues of right and wrong, truth and error, that demand that we take a firm stand – no matter what the consequences may be. But too often brethren have fought and divided – suffered bad feelings and alienation – over things that could have been settled peacefully by simply “walking (driving!?!) a mile in the other man’s shoes.” Think!
– by Greg Gwin