Get the Picture?

View of Table Mountain                                                                   

from the North…                                                                            

… and the South.

By Hilary Jacobs

I have the privelege of living in Cape Town, surely one of the most beautiful cities on the African continent. From our small backyard we have a close-up view of Table Mountain, with Devil's Peak in the foreground, towering overhead. A little imagination reveals the two "horns" which gave it that name.

But even such solid impressions can change. When we travel a short distance to the north, we see something different. Not only is Table Mountain much smaller, but Devil's Peak no longer looms so large and threatening.  A few kilometres to the east, and it practically disappears. Viewed from the south, both mountains are unrecognisable. Even out at sea or from Robben Island, the view is slightly different.

What do we see?

Do we sometimes see other people from a particular angle, and never take the time to "travel" a small distance and see the rest of the picture?  As Jesus pointed out, we are all able to see the shortcomings of others (Matthew 7:4). Rather than just looking at the obvious, it's worth the effort to make that journey, to dig a little deeper, and we are richer for doing so.

Perhaps that cynical, superior neighbour has some useful information to share. Few can resist an approach such as: "you seem to know a lot about music. At what age should my daughter start piano lessons?"

Or, "You're obviously a financial expert. What's the best way to invest right now?" This could be the start of a genuine friendship, or at least a good relationship.

It's so easy to see the problem rather than the person when it comes to things like deafness, speech impediments, obesity, or being confined to a wheelchair. Easier to avoid the person than to get past the disability and see them as someone who has ideas, opinions, and perhaps a sense of humour.

Some of us who have been around for quite some time tend to see only the negative actions of young people. What may not be so obvious is the gigantic battle they have to resist peer pressure, especially if they are Christians. Maybe we are not too thrilled with their clothing fashions and hairstyles, but do we give them credit for refusing to indulge in pre-marital sex and drugs?

Young people tend to view the elderly as dinosaurs.  They see a body  obviously past its prime, but seldom consider that this person may have been a medical doctor, a flight instructor, or a hotel manager. 

Adding dimensions

I was fascinated by a study conducted at our church office some years ago. A clinical psychologist handed us each a questionnaire, and after a great deal of investigation, had us all summed up quite accurately. I remember thinking, "that's exactly the way I am." But he then revealed that we had only scratched the surface. What we had discovered was but a tiny part of the whole complex being that each of us embodies.

It's good to find out more about the part of the iceberg that's under the water.

What did Jesus see?

Jesus saw the Samaritan woman at the well as a real person, someone worth talking to, and not just a pagan woman living in adultery. As He entered the city of Jericho he noticed a man of dubious wealth but great curiosity, climbing into a tree just to get a better view! No doubt Jesus saw potential where others did not. Finally, as He was about to die on the cross, He saw the thief next to him as one who would be given eternal life - that repentant side of his nature which was unlikely to be noticed by the jailers and executioners.

What does God see?

To get a realistic view of the mountains of Cape Town, you have to take a helicopter ride and look from above. Only then do you begin to understand how the whole structure hangs together. God, our Creator looks down and sees us exactly as we are. And He knows exactly how we got there. He understands the part of us that isn't revealed to others - the fears and the inadequacies as well as the achievements and abilities. And He loves us more than we can imagine.