View from the Top

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. —Romans 12:14 NASB

As I peered through the window from thirty-thousand feet in the air, the earth looked limitless. It seemed almost Heavenly. Dense water vapor swelled into white peaks that towered in the distance like a floating mountain range. But it wasn’t a mountain range. It wasn’t even solid ground. Therefore, what I perceived wasn’t real.

Unfortunately, my perception often differs from reality—especially when dealing with difficult relationships. Nevertheless, I am convinced that God wants me to see things from His Heavenly perspective, particularly in times of conflict with other believers. For example, God’s Word says I am to bless the one who is persecuting me. That is not natural! Only in God’s economy does it make sense. Paul went on to say, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18 NASB). In other words, if a conflict exists, it shouldn’t be because of me.

Ouch! Is this even possible? Sometimes people just don’t like me or like what I’m doing, even if it isn’t wrong. How can I help that? I can’t. What I can do is remember that “… if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

In other words, the conflict can only continue if I fail to bless, forgive, and love. If I choose to look at the worldly underside of the clouds and dismiss the fact that Jesus died for me and for the other person, then the Spirit is squelched because of my flesh. I won’t be able to rise above the emotion of the situation and live in the Spirit, high above the clouds in the presence of the Son.

Still, Jesus desires intimacy. That intimacy changes us—enabling us to let go of the sin that so easily entangles—and we are transformed by the washing of the water of the Word and the filling of the Holy Spirit as we spend time with Him. This takes surrender, discipline, and commitment. The Sweet Selah 4R Method* is a tool that helps us develop single-mindedness—a heavenly viewpoint—as we seek the Lord’s perspective high above the clamor of the world. Only then can we love out of our fullness. Isn’t that our goal? To love God and love others all the time?

Until then, we have hope, the hope that the same God who fulfilled all past promises through Christ will come again and fulfill the promise of Heaven and usher in eternity. We also have hope that Jesus will enable us to love more and more until we meet Him face to face.

Verses like this fuel that hope: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding [or perspective]. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Ahh! Trust. To believe the One who is trustworthy. No doubting. He is God, and I’m not. If He says to bless those who persecute you, bless them. If He says He will never leave you or forsake you, He won’t leave you. If He says something is good (even if it feels bad at the time) or something is bad (even if it feels good at the time), it is true.

Moreover, trusting God means we exert faith, believing Him even when it’s foggy. Unfortunately, many imagine they can cloud-surf from one circumstance to another, riding their emotional thermals up and down as things change. But God desires peace for His children. I’m not suggesting you numb your feelings; rather, that you look beyond the fog and into the Heavens where hope lives eternal.

In the same way the sun blazes hot above the clouds, the love of the Son is constant. It pierces through the fog of life, eliminates our sin through forgiveness, and offers peace in any circumstance. Jesus is always there, working for our good, even if we can’t feel His presence or understand what’s happening.

As I write this, I’m reminded of His constant faithfulness. The person who is frustrated with me needs Jesus. I need Jesus. So, I trust that God will pursue them as I pray for them and bless them. I look forward to what God will do in me as I sit at His feet, and I look forward to what He’ll do with our relationship. And I am excited for Heaven, where all things will be made right, and the tears will be wiped away. On that day, when we all meet with Jesus in the clouds, nothing else will matter—that will be a good day to fly!

Father, help me to be heavenly-minded and Christ-centered in all I do and say. Renew my mind so that my thoughts align with Yours and I can walk by faith with hope in Jesus, not in this world. Forgive me for being angry or dissatisfied when I don’t get my way. Teach me to bend my will to Your holy goodness and follow You all the days of my life.

Then a cloud appeared and covered them,
and a voice came from the cloud:
“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
—Mark 9:7 NIV

*For more information on the 4R Method, click here.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NJKV).

Marlene McKenna

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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