Incorrect Perceptions

 

Yesterday I ran several errands. As I was driving, I noticed several things where our perceptions may be different from reality. 

Google maps and navigation systems in our cars can be extremely helpful. We can also end up completely lost when we try to follow them. It's not necessarily their fault. Notice what I said there. They are computers, not people. Can we really assign blame to an electronic instrument? I'm sure that I did not follow the instructions correctly. I do it all the time: blame talk to text, auto correct, predictive text for nearly unintelligible messages and emails. But it's my fault if I don't proofread before I send. Anyway, I thought I had entered the address to a Christian bookstore, but I ended up at a Christian ministry to the homeless. The young man standing outside had no idea where the Christian bookstore might be but told me to ask the people inside. I rang the doorbell and waited patiently while they decided I wasn't a threat. The men inside were pleasant and gave me directions to the bookstore. I understood nothing of what they were saying, but just nodded my head, thanked them, got back in the car and checked the address I thought I had entered. Turns out, I wasn't far from the bookstore and made it there without further issues. My perception was that Google maps had failed me, but the reality was that I had either entered the information incorrectly or had not followed the directions.

Going back a few minutes. Traffic circles. I'm pretty sure they are the reason Google maps got me so lost. The circles where we lived in Illinois were straightforward. They were circles. I didn't have trouble with them once I figured out when to yield and when to go. The ones I encountered yesterday were more like those mazes we used to do in Highlight magazine. I think you can still buy books with those in them. My perception was that I was trapped in a maze and couldn't find my way out, at least not going in the direction I needed to go. 

My next stop was at another Christian bookstore. The name of the store was "Spiritual Gifts." My perception was that this referred to the scriptures in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. As I drove into the parking lot, I had an "aha" moment. Gifts that are of spiritual significance. When I confessed my misunderstanding to the nice lady in the store, she told me that some people also confuse the name with the broader heading of "spirituality", as in any religion at all or a self-glorifying type of spirituality. 

God is indescribable. Therefore, we sometimes have misguided perceptions of who He really is. I'm not saying that I completely understand. We will never truly understand until we are in Heaven with Him. Paul teaches us that in 1 Corinthians 13:12

12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Some perceive Him only as a mean and hateful God who condemns people to Hell. I’ve even heard someone say, “Why would I want a God who wants to send me to Hell?”  That perception is both wrong and incomplete. He loved us so much that He took human form and died to be the payment for our sin. He did not condemn us. We condemn ourselves by refusing to accept His wonderful gift of redemption. He delays His return because He wants to extend grace for others to be redeemed from our sin.

John 3:16-18 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Some perceive Him as a sort of Santa Claus in the sky who takes our wish list and does the best He can to fill it. Don't get me wrong. He does answer our prayers, but there are stipulations to that. He grants our requests when we take delight in Him. Our hearts are closely aligned with His. We are so close to Him that we want the same things He wants. We must have accepted His gift of salvation and be in fellowship with Him. He answers our prayers to glorify Himself. We must be attentive to His words. He is our Abba, Father, but He is not a genie in a bottle to fulfill our every demand. 

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

John 12:12-14 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Some have the preconceived idea that He is far away and unconcerned with our daily thoughts, words, and activities. That is completely wrong. He knows our thoughts before we think them. It’s beyond my comprehension but He knew our thoughts before he created the world. He knows when we are anxious, and cares for us. He wants us to have fellowship with Him. 

Psalm 139:1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Jeremiah 12:3a Yet you know me, Lord; you see me and test my thoughts about you.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

The misperceptions we talked about today are not comprehensive by any means. Everyone has their own unique perceptions. We can never really overcome our earthly inadequate perceptions as long as we walk this planet. But we will know Him in Heaven as He has known us from eternity past. We also learn more, correct wrong perceptions when we study His Word and pray, when we hear Biblical preaching and teaching, and fellowship with others who are walking closely with God. 

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Acts 17:11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

I John 1:3-4 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our[a] joy complete.

As prone as we are to perceive things with a bias based on our prior experience, our emotions, and yes-based on our sinful nature, God’s word teaches us how to refocus on the Truth of who God really is.