LOOKING AT LIFE THRU GOD’S GLASSES: I OR WE – PART 6
What we see in life depends on what kind of glasses we use. If we look through human glasses, we see “I.” If we look through God’s glasses, we see “WE.”
We don’t have to be taught in order to be selfish. A baby’s first instincts are to cry for whatever he wants. The baby perceives that the whole world centers around him. When the baby grows, he thinks that all the toys, food, attention, etc. belong to him. In life, we don’t grow out of selfishness.
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve looked through glasses that saw what “I want” rather than what “God wants.” That’s the definition of sin. The middle letter of sin is “I”. The middle letter of pride is “I.”
The Beatles were one of the most popular singing groups of all time. I was in Princeton in graduate school when they made their first trip to the Ed Sullivan Show in New York. It was a TV frenzy!
After enjoying much popularity, they started growing more self-centered. Each Beatle was more concerned about himself. George Harrison wrote the song that’s the last one that they ever recorded. The keywords are very simple – repeated many times, “I, Me, Mine. I, Me, Mine. I, Me, Mine.”
Looking through human glasses, you see “I.” Looking through God’s glasses, you see “WE.” We are part of a team, a community, a big family. There is no “I” in TEAM. There is “US” in JESUS. Jesus transforms selfishness into selflessness. He invites us to be a part of His team.
God’s glasses read, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for “a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9,10,12)
Do you know why a medium-power laser can burn through steel in a matter of seconds, while the most powerful spotlight can only warm the steel? Both have the same electrical power requirements. The difference is unity.
A laser can simply be described as a medium of excited molecules with mirrors at each end. Some of the excited molecules naturally decay into a less excited state. In the decay process, they release a photon, a particle of light. The photon moves along and “tickles” another molecule, inviting another photon to join in on the journey. Then the two photons “tickle” two more molecules and invite two more photons to join the parade. Soon there is a huge army of photons marching in step with each other. It is this unity that gives the laser its power.
A spotlight may have just as many photons, but each is going its own independent way, occasionally interfering with other photons. As a result, much of its power is wasted and cannot be focused. However, the laser, because of its unity, is like an army marching in tight formation and is able to focus all its power on its objective. It’s the difference between “I” and “WE.” America desperately needs to see “WE!”
Sherry Vernon was at Panama City Beach, Florida, recently and saw an 8-year-old girl go underwater. She swam out to try to help her, but she was pulled out by the water deeper than she could swim. 25 people on the beach joined hands and banded together in a human chain and brought both of them back to shore. What Sherry couldn’t do by herself, a team of 25 could do!
We may not have it all together, but together we could have it all!!
God’s glasses see His team of “WE.” Are you on that team?
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Obstacles or Opportunities – Part 1
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Burdens or Blessings – Part 2
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone – Part 3
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Grumbling or Gratitude – Part 4
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Problems or Possibilities – Part 5
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: I or WE – Part 6
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Getting or Giving – Part 7
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: A Sad Situation or a Simple Solution? – Part 8
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Bib or Apron? – Part 9
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Negative Circumstances or Positive Responses – Part 10
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Counting Points or Counting People? – Part 11
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Selfishness or Servanthood – Part 12
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Two Different Olympic Ceremonies – Part 13
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Fake or Real – Part 14
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Success or Significance – Part 15
- Looking at Life Thru God’s Glasses: Rules or Relationships – Part 16
- Looking Thru God’s Glasses: Chance or Change – Part 17