Reality or Fiction

Perspective - Who’s do you see?

When teaching perspective and drawing conclusions in reading, I have a story I always use. Perspective is how we see the world. It's our viewpoint. It takes our attitude toward different things based on our experiences and knowledge. I tell a story about a child named Syd who moved to a new neighborhood. Syd goes for a walk around the new community. Syd wears gym shorts, socks, high-top tennis shoes, and a jersey. There are some boys playing basketball down the street. Syd likes to play basketball. The boys ask Syd to join them. Syd is good; makes jump shots and dunks several times. Before long, the boys ask Syd to join their regular games.

After this story, I ask the students what they know about Syd. Without fail, they all tell me "He" likes to play basketball and "He" is a good player.

From the elementary-age student's perspective, Syd must be a boy. They are always shocked when I tell them Syd is a girl.

They are using what they know. We look at things based on what society tells us. TV ads, magazines, and "Reality" TV shows tell us what we're supposed to look like, wear, and act. We will always be below par when we look at ourselves from the world's perspective.

God's perspective is different. He sees us, scars, mistakes, and all. He sees the perfection that we are becoming. He sees someone worthy of sending His Son to die for. Isaiah 43:4 tells us, "Since you are precious and honored in My sight and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life." Psalms 134:13-14 says God made us knit us together, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God created us in His image. We look like Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation." Philippians 1:6, "That He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." He is making us whole and perfect. 

They say sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will never hurt us. Wrong. Words hurt. Words are what we base our perspectives. Words are how we see ourselves. But whose words are we listening to? We need to listen to God, who tells us no matter what the world may say. We are worthy. We are valuable. We are being made perfect. We are loved.