Observations

Today’s reflection centers around observations. The understanding of our observations may be determined by the lens with which we make and receive them. It is likely that our beliefs and understandings of our beliefs play a significant role in how observations are interpreted. So what drives our beliefs? What determines the lens by which we filter our observations? Two people observing the same situation can describe the happenings of what they observed in two different and opposing accounts. So what I hold up for the reader to consider pertains to the lens we presently use to make our observation interpretations.

If the lens used to view various observations is in any way contrary to Love, then the interpretation of those observations will contain bits and pieces of hatred and malice. If such ingredients are already present within the observer, then how the observation is described will also contain these bits and pieces. In Young’s Literal Translation of the new testament book “Titus” the first chapter and the last two verses describes perhaps the difference between lenses used in making observations.

 It reads, “all things, indeed, [are] pure to the pure, and to the defiled and un-steadfast [is] nothing pure, but of them defiled [are] even the mind and the conscience; God they profess to know, and in the works they deny [Him}, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work disapproved.”

I must confess these words observed in the book of Titus are alarming because if I am honest I too am guilty of these bits and pieces. Is it possible to become aware of the lens I use to make such observations? Is it possible that the ability to choose purity over defilement and un-steadfastness can determine the lens I use? I want to believe it is possible. So how do I go about making such course changes? Believe it or not, such changes are all based on our decision to Love. 

In our world there are numerous examples of hatred and malice. We observe the actions of countless criminal acts that prey upon innocent people on a daily basis. In our observations of such actions, we determine how they are interpreted based upon what drives our beliefs. We might consider that these victims had it coming and so they got what was coming to them. If that is the case then we might offer such opinions to those to whom we converse. When we do this our opinions makes an impact on our listeners who may very well repeat to others those opinions. If such opinions are void of Love, hatred and malice win the day.

The scripture is quite plain when it reads, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” If hatred and malice drives one’s beliefs then that is exactly what will proceed from the mouth. Here is a suggestion to consider. Perhaps giving fore-thought to what we speak asking ourselves where such speech is coming from may give enough pause to ask ourselves what is driving our beliefs. Making the decision to allow Love to drive our beliefs in a world desperate for such Love will uncover the Truth. It is recorded in scripture a saying of Jesus, It reads, “and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. If Jesus Christ shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”  May our observations made on a daily basis be viewed and interpreted through the lens of God’s Truth and Love!