New Paradigms

Along about the time November arrives I start thinking about new paradigms. Soon the first big snowfall of the season will be arriving and we'll have to change our worldview from earthtones to one that is covered in white. The arrival of snow (along with colder temperatures) changes everythinng,

Driving, commuting, shopping--all kinds of activities are impacted by colder, snowier conditions. There are somethings we just don't think about until spring is in full bloom. It's a total paradigm shift.

Today's sermon by Mad City Church pastor Tom Flaherty described another type of perspective shift. It was titled "Seeing People as God Does," and it was based on the story of the Samaritan woman in the Gospel of John, chapter 4. h

If we had been along on that day we would have seen a social outcast, a woman who we probably would have avoided. But Jesus saw a heart hungry for change. His compassion and a few well spoken words changed her life forever.

Pastor Flaherty's suggestion: "We should always ask God, 'what do you see in this person?'" Even discounting the work of the Holy Spirit, just that thought alone might change our paradigms in a major way.

He added some wise words from General George Washington, quoted from the book 1776. Counseling his generals about less than professional military behavior among the rank and file of the Revolutionary War Army, Washington said, "We need to see the best in people as they are, not as we wish them to be."