Perspective Change

After a long day, I was beat down and tired, but I still needed to shower. I grabbed my speaker, towel, and hopped in the shower. Within the first minute of starting the shower, the shower hose started to spray the water much slower and weaker. You know what I mean. It happens to us all. Being a part of a family of seven, you’re bound for this to happen at least every other shower, if not every shower. So...someone else either flushed the toilet or was showering in another shower, and the hose started to barely soak my half-dry hair. My immediate inside reaction was “ughhh. Not again. I just want to heckin’ shower and get it over with so I can go to sleep.” As soon as I had those thoughts of frustration and impatience, I randomly thought, who am I to expect the most amazing shower experience every time I shower? Like, why is it that my first thought is a thought of entitlement? Some people don’t even have warm water to shower in and I’m here complaining that my hair will take an extra 18 seconds to fully soak under the water. Why is this the case? So after thinking that, I became more aware of my blessings and felt more peaceful and content. Then it started to flow more powerfully and I realized that I had spent almost a minute of my life complaining about something that would only last for 30 seconds. It really got me thinking about life, and about how the smallest perspective change can change your life.

I think I speak for most of us when I say that I worry about my future and what God has planned for me. It’s unhealthy, but seems inevitable at times. As of right now, I feel called to pastoral ministries and I can’t wait to see where God leads me and what He teaches me throughout this new journey of life I’ll be taking. As I start to mentally prepare for how to approach this new start and pursuit, one of the first things I thought of was something like, “I need to be closer to Jesus. I need to know more about the story of God. I need to have experienced Jesus in ways I have not yet experienced Him.” Although these seem like small things that would make sense for me to consider as I take small steps toward God’s plan for me, the whole idea of perspective grabbed ahold of me and slapped me in the face. How can I sit here and say that I need more of Jesus just because of my future career? Whether or not I would have entered the mission field or not, my goal in every aspect of life ought to be focused on more of Jesus. I don’t care if I end up being a garbage man some day; as long as I am seeking out Jesus with my whole heart each and every day, then I’m content with whatever direction God leads me. I just think that this perspective is of such importance, so much so that everyone should consider it. Is your major, job, or internship of more importance and focus than Jesus Christ? If so, I’d ask that you would reconsider the perspective you live your life with. One of my favorite verses states, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart“ (Jer. 29:13 ESV), and I think this verse embodies what each of us should do each day, before all else. We will discover Jesus more when we seek Him out with our WHOLE HEART! Whether you’re 13, 21, or 45, I am sure of this; that it is never too early or too late in your life to set your perspective and priorities to where they should be. It’s impossible to give your whole heart to your career and to Jesus. However, it is very possible to give your whole heart to Jesus and still pursue that degree, paycheck, or job that you’ve been working towards. So as I conclude, I ask one question: what is of utmost importance in your walk of life? Please consider this and let Jesus take back first place in your life. You won’t regret it and I can promise that. It’s not a matter of personality or preference. Jesus goes much further than that. Yes, He is that good.

- Jack Hilsher

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34:8‬ ‭(ESV)

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

”You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”