Perspective

It’s interesting, the word perspective. As an architecture student, it has a certain meaning for me. Think of a two-point or three-point perspective drawing. Those kind of drawings allow an object to take on the appearance of an entirely different dimension-going from a flat, two-dimensional object on paper to an object that appears 3-D. Life is brought to the picture and to the object because we are able to identify with it in a different way, because it fits our basic schemas of what we know and interact with everyday in our lives. It becomes vibrant and engaging, and we are drawn to that, wanting to know more about both the piece and the artist. We wonder who the person is that came up with that concept, why is it designed the way it is, what is its function and purpose, along with the aspirations it meets? We want to satisfy our intellect and learn the answer to why we are drawn to such an object. We can’t just simply look at it and walk away without engaging ourselves in thought.

So often we look at people in two dimensions rather than three. We see the lines on the paper, the apparent, flat, ambiguous concept of who they are. I was really convicted of this today as I stood in line at the DMV in San Luis Obispo. I was in line in front of a woman; her name is Cathleen, who really doesn’t have much. Upon first appearance and impression, she looked like someone who is…more of an outcast of sorts, who has difficulty functioning well within society. We started talking and she was telling me first why she was at the DMV and then it led into parts of her life. She owns a motor home—that is her home—and had to get the license renewed. However, she had received tickets for illegal camping of the motor home on public streets, and had been involved in accidents, in addition to failing her driver’s test three times because she had a cataract and couldn’t see well. There was a lot of anger and resentment as she talked about having a home, but not having a home at the same time. I guess the state campgrounds here in CA allow you to stay for no more than 60 days at all combined, and then the county only for 30. So she was saying, what do I do for the other 275 days? Now she’s been parking on streets, thus the tickets. The motor home is her home but she doesn’t have any place to put it. In addition, she has a lot of health problems, and may have some trouble with pain medication, that was the impression I received anyway. She can’t get any more pain medication for her arthritis and cataracts so she’s pretty miserable. Deeply carved into her face, into her eyes, into her posture, were the signs of a woman who strongly resented the world and the pain it had afflicted upon her.

As we talked, it was interesting to note the apparent disgust on the bystanders in line with us. But also as we talked, the more I felt the Holy Spirit calling me to show love to her, to show compassion and understanding. She and I come from two different worlds yet for that 45 minutes we shared, we were able to enter each others and relate to each other in ways I didn’t think possible. It became so evident how she needed someone to listen and show compassion even if I didn’t agree with certain things she said. In that 45 min, my eyes were opened in such a way that I realized how skewed my perception of the world can be at times. It’s so easy to become used to and comfortable to what is familiar around us and ignore the more pressing issues and people that need us just to open our eyes and reach out to them, even if it’s for a brief moment.
I need to be doing that more here on campus, especially in this dorm. God has blessed me abundantly with the relationships I’ve already developed with other brothers and sisters in Christ especially, but there’s so many more that need someone to walk alongside them and show them the deeper love and understanding only Christ can bring. I need to keep my eyes open constantly and my heart willing to serve in any way I can. God has brought me here to Cal Poly for quite a mighty purpose, one I’m still coming to understand, and I must not let my own agenda, such as classes and homework, get in the way. I am here to serve and lead and spread the gospel, walking by faith and in the spirit 24/7. I believe that as I continue to do this God will continue to direct my paths and pour out His blessings abundantly—because God is SO GOOD. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is.

So in conclusion, what kind of love and understanding are we showing people? Are we giving them the kind of love that is based on a two-dimensional perspective of them, or are we constantly looking beyond the surface, trying to understand who they are, where they come from, and what they need? Where are they going, and how can we direct their paths to Christ? Christ’s love is so three-dimensional, it’s unbelievable. Never will he leave us nor forsake us; He has laid his life down for us, and he calls us to do the same, both for him and for our brethren. In the midst of our faults, our weaknesses, our pride, our sin, He still comes calling through telling us, “I know you don’t deserve it. But I love you anyway, more than you can ever understand.” As Christians, we have the blessing of experiencing that love every moment of every day. Those who don’t know Christ don’t have that privilege, because they don’t know who Christ is and what He’s all about. We must be messengers of love. We must look at people in three dimensions, not two. Engage yourself in the thought and attempt to understand who they are and what they need. Appearances, especially first appearances, are extremely deceiving. Even if you are worlds apart from the other person, you can enter theirs and show them the kind of love and understanding they may have never experienced before. Believe it or not, even 45 min can be a long time…to make a difference in their lives.