Post-modernism has given us the blessing and the curse of considering things from a multiplicity of perspectives. It is a true blessing to be able to step out of one’s own shoes and attempt to understand things from a different position. That is something we should attempt to do and often the result is a healthier, more robust set of beliefs than settling in on what you have believed without really considering other options.
It also comes with a weakness or a cost and that is the inability to settle in on conclusions. You can get so wrapped up in considering things from so many other potential positions and perspectives that it locks you into tentativeness…never finding a definite landing place because there are always more things to consider…more information to gather…and other people to consider.
At the end of the day we need to consider other perspectives but we also need to not be afraid to value our own perspective and the conclusions we reach because of our unique perspective. Only you are you and there is value in your perspective. So don’t be afraid to come to conclusions. Don’t be afraid to know what you believe. Understand that is defining that you are by default recognizing that dozens, even hundreds of other perspectives would potentially conflict with your position but that doesn’t make it wrong.
From a biblical perspective, imagine David taking Goliath’s perspective on things. What a sensitive thing to do! Wouldn’t this make him far more likely to consider his conclusion of confronting Goliath in the name of the Lord quite a bit more tentative? Our sensitivities can be our worst enemies. That doesn’t mean we reserve the right to run over people. It does mean that not all perspectives will take us to the right conclusion instead, only to confusion.
This example reminds us that there is one “other” perspective that truly does matter and trumps all the others…even our own…and that is God’s perspective. The good news is, His perspective doesn’t shift and change based on a multiplicity of circumstances and variables. We cannot read the mind of God but we can discern what is holy and right…what is morally good and what is morally corrupt and we can act accordingly. This is the One perspective that will keep us living as we should and should be considered each and every time we have a decision to make, a view to take, or a thing to do.
