Is Perception Reality?

Since starting to write these devotionals a few years back, I have penned a couple about the perception of our current situation. Life can often give us the sense that it is completely out of control. Everything around you may seem like your are in a death spiral and nothing can be done to change it. This was the case for me in the fall of 2008.

I had just returned home after spending nearly 5 months in the upper mid-west, New York, New England, southern portion of the province of Ontario and the eastern province of New Brunswick. Upon my return, the Lord had me step down from my position as the chaplain of the last surviving drag racing organization we currently ministered in to hand the group over to 2 guys that had stepped up to serve…then He went silent on what I was suppose to do next.

For 9 months I heard nothing. I tried desperately to ‘fit in’ at a church plant in a small town south of us with zero impact. Even my skills in web design were flat. I was at a loss for what He would have me do. I turned to reading the word, worshiping and helping were I could at the church. Everything would change in June of 2009 when He would lead us to start Dragstory, an online e-zine covering drag racing. Dragstory would lead us to start streaming drag racing again and eventually create MotorManiaTV. All of this happened, in part, to transition us from the traditional track ministry we had been a part of to market place ministry.

Six years later, He has built a company that allows us to be light and salt in the corporate world of motorsports…I never saw any of this coming…I thought I was done. Do you find yourself in a similar place today? If so, stop striving for the next thing and start seeking Him. It’s impossible to miss the will of God for your life when you earnestly seek His face.

Blessings

Is Perception Reality?
by Os Hillman

“The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:14).

The CEO walked into his manufacturing plant only to observe an employee standing by idly not working. Angrily, he walked over to him, peeled off a $100 bill and gave it to him: “Here, go spend your time elsewhere!” The man looked at the CEO somewhat puzzled, but left with the $100. “How long has that man worked for us?” said the CEO to the employee standing nearby. “Well sir, that man does not work for us; he is only the delivery man.”

Perception is not always reality. Elijah was in a crisis. Jezebel wanted to kill him. The nation was falling to Baal worship. From his vantage point – it was all over. He was the only prophet remaining in all the land who had not bent his knee to the idol of Baal. He wanted to die.

Then, the Lord sent His angel to correct Elijah’s perception: “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). There were seven thousand Elijah knew nothing about! Elijah’s perception was not reality.

Whenever things are going poorly, there is a temptation to believe God is not working in the situation. We may even believe our life is over. Everything from our vantage point is dark. We see no future. However, even in these times, God’s plan is being orchestrated behind the scenes. He is accomplishing His purposes. But we need a fresh perspective on our situation.

Do you need a reality check on your situation? Ask God to show you the truth. It may be very different than your perception.