12/6/08

A different pont of view

Its been almost a decade since I received my first senior discount at the Florida aquarium, but what I remember most was thinking..."So that's what its like to be a fish". Just looking at things from their point of view changed everything. I can understand a little better now the reason for the following Bible passage:

Mat 5:38 `Ye heard that it was said: Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth;
Mat 5:39 but I--I say to you, not to resist the evil, but whoever shall slap thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;
Mat 5:40 and whoever is willing to take thee to law, and thy coat to take--suffer to him also the cloak.
Mat 5:41 `And whoever shall impress thee one mile, go with him two,
Mat 5:42 to him who is asking of thee be giving, and him who is willing to borrow from thee thou mayest not turn away.
Mat 5:43 `Ye heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and shalt hate thine enemy;
Mat 5:44 but I--I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,
Mat 5:45 that ye may be sons of your Father in the heavens, because His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good, and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous.
Mat 5:46 `For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?
Mat 5:47 and if ye may salute your brethren only, what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so?
Mat 5:48 ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who is in the heavens is perfect.
Young's Literal Translation

Perfection is not be absolutely perfect in everything we do; I don't think anyone can be completely free of wrong, but it does mean being the best we can be. That begins with trying to see things from another point of view. When we do this, we are ON OUR WAY. Now, who out there wants to be a fish?